Suspect who yelled ‘Honey, I’m here’ during Portland home invasion due in court Thursday

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - The man accused of terrorizing Portland’s South Tabor neighborhood on one day earlier this year is expected to appear in court Thursday, June 18, where he is scheduled to enter a plea and face sentencing.

Judson Defir, 43, was arrested after Portland Police linked him to a series of assaults that happened on March 15.

According to an arrest affidavit, officers responded to reports of an assault at a home near Southeast 67th Avenue and Southeast Brooklyn Street. Police said a man entered the home and called out “Honey, I’m here,” moments before going up the stairs and attempting to rape a mother who was holding her 10-month-old baby. Her three-year-old toddler was also nearby. The woman was eventually able to convince the man to let her put the baby in their crib and when he released her she was able to run and scream for help.

The woman’s husband, who was working outside in the yard, heard her screams and rushed inside. By then the man had run away, according to the affidavit.

Investigators later found out the same man was connected to several other incidents in the area that same morning, including groping a woman inside a nearby church and grabbing two other women walking in the neighborhood.

“Our thoughts are with the women who experienced these frightening incidents. We are grateful for their courage in coming forward. I also want to recognize the swift and coordinated response of our patrol officers and detectives, whose quick actions helped apprehend the suspect and bring a sense of safety back to the neighborhood,” Portland Police Chief Bob Day said.

The case drew significant concerns from neighbors, who described the attacks as unusual for the busy South Tabor neighborhood.

Defir was arrested later that day and faced charges including first-degree attempted rape and first-degree kidnapping, according to court records.

Defir was also accused of making unwanted sexual comments to one of the officers on scene.

Defir denied attacking anyone and claimed he “accidentally bumped into” the mother inside her own home, according to the arrest affidavit.

Defir told police he smoked meth before heading to a pancake breakfast at the neighborhood church that morning, according to the court document.

One of the victims spoke in court during Defir’s arraignment on Monday, March 16, saying he was “aggressive” and “gleeful” during the attack.

Thursday’s hearing is expected to mark a major development in the case as Defir is scheduled to enter a plea and be sentenced.

If you or someone you care about was sexually assaulted, you can call the 24/7 National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE, or visit this website, to get connected with help and resources in your community.