Police say the 20-year-old joined youth activities and built relationships with children while claiming he was a minor.
GRESHAM, OR — Police are searching for additional victims after arresting a 20-year-old man accused of posing as a teenager for years, participating in youth basketball events and sexually and physically assaulting children across Multnomah County.
Gresham police identified the suspect as Ethan Bohanan. Investigators said he presented himself as a 14- to 16-year-old emancipated minor and sometimes claimed he attended local middle schools. Police said he entered friendships and romantic relationships with children, including some as young as 12, while hiding his true age.
The investigation began in May after police received several reports about Bohanan’s interactions with children. One report came from a 14-year-old who said she had been assaulted by a former boyfriend later identified as Bohanan, according to local news reports citing investigators.
Officers arrested Bohanan in June. Police said he was charged with sex crimes and physical assaults involving multiple child victims, along with offenses connected to the unlawful use of a firearm. Authorities have not released a complete public account of the evidence supporting each charge, and the allegations have not been proven in court.
Police said Bohanan continued to claim he was a juvenile when officers contacted him. Detective Adam Wright said adults and children described Bohanan as charismatic and that many people believed his account of being a minor.
Investigators said Bohanan participated in youth basketball events, received services intended to support young people and spent time around children through nonprofit leagues and other organizations. Detectives said they found no evidence that he was formally enrolled in a Multnomah County school or competed in a school district’s athletic program.
Some events Bohanan attended were organized by nonprofit youth groups that rented space at local schools, police said. Investigators have contacted school districts, sports leagues and youth service organizations as they work to determine where Bohanan went and which children may have interacted with him.
Authorities believe Bohanan had contact with children in Gresham, Portland, Troutdale, Fairview and other parts of Multnomah County. Wright said investigators are reconstructing Bohanan’s activities over several years to identify additional witnesses and possible victims.
Police said they have found evidence suggesting that Bohanan physically and sexually assaulted children who have not yet been identified. Investigators also said some children may not know that he was an adult during their interactions. Officials have not disclosed the number of additional possible victims.
Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez said authorities want to speak with anyone who may have relevant information so investigators can develop a complete account of what happened. Police have asked people with information about Bohanan’s conduct to contact Gresham police Detective Lindsay Friderich at 503-618-3128 or Lindsay.Friderich@GreshamOregon.gov.
The investigation remains active. Bohanan is accused of the crimes and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Police had not announced additional arrests or publicly identified further alleged victims as of Wednesday.
Author note: Last updated July 15, 2026.