Philomath man facing 28 charges in two sex abuse cases spanning 10 years

A 56-year-old Philomath man has pleaded not guilty to 28 felony charges of sexual abuse, rape and sodomy in connection with multiple incidents over 10 years involving two alleged minor victims.

Raymond Merl Turner was arrested March 8 following an investigation from the Benton County Sheriff's Office. He is being held in the Benton County Jail on $4 million security.

In one case, Turner is being charged with seven counts of first-degree rape, six counts of first-degree sodomy and six counts of first-degree sexual abuse in incidents from 2009 to 2015. He was arraigned in that case on March 9 in front of Benton County Circuit Judge Matthew Donohue.

In the second case, Turner is being charged with three counts first-degree sodomy, three counts of first-degree unlawful sexual penetration and three counts of first-degree sexual abuse in connection with incidents from 2005 to 2007. He was arraigned in the case on Wednesday in front of Donohue.

According to probable cause affidavits from the Benton County Sheriff's Office, investigators separately interviewed two female victims, who each reported being sexually abused by Turner on multiple occasions.

Turner is being represented by court-appointed defense attorney Brett Jaspers. Jaspers declined to comment in the case.

Kristen Farnworth, assistant district attorney with the Benton County District Attorney's Office, is representing the state.

Turner's next hearing in both cases is a status check set for March 23.