Suspect Arrested for Sexual Assaults

MEDFORD – A Trail man turned himself in at the Jackson County Jail today on charges related to the sexual abuse of multiple girls and women.  On February 15, a grand jury indicted Donald James McLaughlin, 46, on the following charges:  sodomy in the first degree; sexual abuse in the first degree (four counts); unlawful sexual penetration in the first degree (two counts); and, sexual abuse in the second degree (two counts).  Bail is set at one million dollars.

The investigation began late last year.  Detectives first arrested McLaughlin on December 29, 2016, following the service of a search warrant at his home.  In that case, McLaughlin was indicted on charges related to the sexual abuse of a 17-year-old girl. 

Further investigation led to the discovery of additional victims of crimes that occurred over a period of several years.  Some of the women were minors at the time of the incidents.  McLaughlin came into contact with his victims mainly through associations with family, friends, and business contacts.  McLaughlin is the owner of two metal recycling businesses – White City Metals and Klamath Metals.