An ex-Forest Grove police officer agreed never to work in law enforcement again in a deal struck in August with prosecutors.
Masaru Shinya, who patrolled the streets of Forest Grove from 2002 until his resignation two months ago, stepped down after his ex-girlfriend told police he abused her.
Washington County prosecutors said the case started in June, when the woman disappeared. Her family filed a missing person's report and police found her at a domestic violence shelter in Salem.
She told police Shinya abused her and prosecutors started to investigate.
The district attorney said Shinya consistently denied the abuse and said all sexual contact was consensual. However, he admitted to having an anger problem and officials said he also has issues with alcohol.
However, investigators said there's not enough evidence to prove the allegations. When Shinya agreed to resign, prosecutors agreed to drop the case.
Shinya's last known address is an apartment complex on Maywood Drive, but neighbors said he moved out three months ago. Virginia Thorne said Shinya is an honest man and can't imagine him committing the crimes.
"He was very sweet and nice," Thorne said. "He was always friendly and he offered to do anything he could for me."
Forest Grove residents said they have mixed opinions about the deal that was struck.
"I think they need to know all the details before they could assume that would all be correct," said Kurt Copp, who lives in Forest Grove. "And everybody has to be careful because those are large allegations."
"Those are people that we're supposed to be able to count on and then something like that happens," said Jeff Gilstrap, another Forest Grove resident. "It breaks that trust."
According to the resignation documents, the agreement doesn't mean Shinya admitted to the crime.
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