St. Helens Detectives Make Two Arrests in Teacher Sex Abuse Investigation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 12, 2024

ST. HELENS, OR - On Tuesday, November 12, 2024, St. Helens officers arrested one current and one former St. Helens High School teacher on sexual abuse charges. Eric Stearns, 46, of St. Helens was arrested in the 400 block of North 16th Street. Detectives arrested Mark Collins, 64, of Beaverton in the 900 block of Port Avenue.

Stearns and Collins' arrests cap a two-month investigation that was initiated by the St. Helens Police Department regarding allegations of historical sexual abuse which occurred at St. Helens High School. Stearns is currently a teacher at St. Helens High School and Collins is a retired teacher. After receiving reports of the alleged sexual abuse, St. Helens detectives immediately conducted interviews and obtained a subpoena for records related to the allegations. Former student victims were identified, and additional potential victims were also identified.

The completed investigation was forwarded to the Columbia County District Attorney's Office. Eric Stearns was subsequently indicted for seven counts of Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree and one count of Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree. Mark Collins was indicted on two counts of Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree and one count of Attempted Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree. Both Stearns and Collins were lodged at the Columbia County Jail.

Investigators are seeking additional information about Stearns and Collins and are concerned that there may be additional victims. If you have additional information, the St. Helens Police Department would like to hear from you. Please contact St. Helens Detectives Edwards and Smith by calling 503-397-1521.

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For further information regarding this press release, please contact Communications Officer Crystal King at [email protected] .