HILLSBORO, Ore. — Hillsboro police have arrested a man for allegedly trafficking a person with developmental disabilities while being his caretaker.
Police said Jack P. Hauser forced the 26-year-old victim to sell snacks and drinks near a shopping center, often making him stay there several days without proper shelter or even proper clothes.
People who frequent Sunset Esplanade Shopping Center in Hillsboro say they often saw a caring man selling snacks and drinks right as you drove in.
"He just wanted to spread the word of God and sit out there and give drinks," said Stephanie Erhardt, a shopper. "He would give it away for free or he would take whatever you had to offer.”
Michael Berry, a shopper, said, “every time I would go to Dollar Tree or Target, I’d come back by. If I had any change left over, I would hand it to him. He’ll offer me like a bottled water or anything to snack on.”
But eventually, people who saw him started to grow concerned. This caught the attention of Hillsboro police, who arrested Hauser on Tuesday. Hauser took over as caretaker of the young man after his mother died.
“Him and his mom were living in a motor home and she had passed and so he was kind of out there on the streets,” Erhardt said.
After collecting evidence from Hauser’s home and cars, police believe Hauser was exploiting the man, who they say was developmentally disabled.
“He’s really nice and I don’t think he had the street smarts where he was able to protect himself, so I think he definitely was a target,” Erhardt said.
Hillsboro police accuse Hauser of also only allowing the man to sleep in a car or garden shed.
“I do feel sorry for him, like seriously,” Berry said.
But it doesn’t end there. Police also said Hauser restricted the man's contact with others, his movement, and his access to money and health care. This behavior has taken neighbors aback.
“Definitely wouldn’t have expected that," said Josh Dickerson, a neighbor. "It’s a very nice neighborhood and seems like a very safe place. That’s definitely very surprising to hear.”
Hauser is expected to appear in court next Thursday. Hillsboro police want to thank the community who tipped them off and remind the public that human trafficking can take many forms.