Content Warning: This article contains descriptions of sexual assault. If you or someone you know may be a victim, confidential support is available through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673 or via online chat.
Charges Filed Against Former Employee
A former staff member of the MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility in Woodburn, Oregon, is facing multiple criminal charges for allegedly grooming and sexually abusing youth in custody.
Cherie MacDougall, 42, was arraigned this week in Marion County Circuit Court. She faces:
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Three counts of supplying contraband
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Three counts of conspiracy to supply contraband
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Two counts of custodial sexual misconduct
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Two counts of felon in possession of a firearm
MacDougall’s employment with the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) ended in May 2023. She was arrested Tuesday, booked into Marion County Jail, and is being held on $100,000 bail.
Allegations of Abuse and Misconduct
According to investigators, MacDougall supplied vaping devices to incarcerated youth at MacLaren. After one of the youth was released, she allegedly provided him with two firearms.
Court documents and civil lawsuits describe a disturbing pattern of manipulation and abuse:
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In one case, MacDougall allegedly coerced a 21-year-old victim into silence by warning, “You know what I can do to you,” which he understood as a threat to get him in trouble if he reported the abuse.
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Another complaint accuses her of grooming a youth when he was just 15 and housed in a unit for those struggling with substance use. She allegedly provided him with drugs, which caused him to fail drug tests and extended his sentence.
The charges stem from a 2022 investigation involving the Oregon State Police and the Oregon Department of Justice.
Civil Lawsuits and Institutional Scrutiny
MacDougall had previously been named in a civil lawsuit covered by Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB). The lawsuit detailed her alleged threats and sexual misconduct, amplifying growing concerns about conditions inside the state’s juvenile facilities.
In June, Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson announced a broader investigation into the management of the MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility. Her decision followed dozens of allegations from former residents who said they were sexually abused while in custody.
Clarkson described the volume and seriousness of complaints as “almost overwhelming.”
Oregon Youth Authority Response
The Oregon Youth Authority, which oversees MacLaren, has faced mounting criticism for its handling of abuse allegations. In a statement, OYA spokesperson Will Howell strongly condemned the alleged conduct.
“The alleged conduct is abhorrent, and the accused individual does not represent the thousands of trusted adults helping OYA youth become crime-free adults,” Howell said. “Oregonians can count on OYA to act swiftly and decisively when individuals undermine our work.”
A Facility Under Fire
MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility is Oregon’s largest juvenile detention center. It houses youth convicted of a range of crimes, including violent offenses, and has long been a subject of debate regarding conditions, oversight, and rehabilitation efforts.
The charges against MacDougall add to a growing list of allegations that suggest systemic failures in protecting vulnerable youth in state custody. Advocates argue the situation highlights the urgent need for independent oversight and stronger safeguards to prevent staff from exploiting their authority.
Looking Ahead
As MacDougall’s criminal case moves forward, it is expected to draw even more attention to conditions within Oregon’s youth correctional system. With both criminal and civil proceedings pending, state officials face renewed pressure to confront longstanding allegations of abuse and implement reforms.
For survivors and their families, the charges mark an important but painful step toward accountability.
