Fire District 6 captain accused of sexual abuse during training exercise

UPDATE: Scott M. Taube was acquitted of third-degree sexual abuse at trial in March 2019 in Washington County Circuit Court, and a charge of harassment was dismissed against him, according to online court records.

A Clark County Fire District 6 captain is accused in Oregon of sexual abuse after inappropriately touching a woman during a training exercise in May, according to the Washington County, Ore., Sheriff’s Office.

Scott M. Taube of Vancouver was charged with third-degree sexual abuse and harassment, the sheriff’s office said. He was arraigned Tuesday morning in Washington County Circuit Court. He was booked and then released. The crime is a misdemeanor in Oregon.

The sheriff’s office said deputies in July received a report of sexual abuse during a May training exercise at a Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue training facility near Sherwood, Ore.

A victim said a training proctor, Taube, touched her in a sexual way during a training exercise. A witness reported seeing the same, according to the sheriff’s office.

Detectives cited Taube on Aug. 15.

Taube previously worked as a contract employee for Washington County and was involved in training new emergency medical technicians. He was not a Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue employee.

Fire District 6 Chief Jerry Green said the district learned of the charges Tuesday and placed Taube on administrative leave pending its own internal investigation.

Green said Taube’s contract with Washington County was arranged separately from his job with District 6. Taube has worked at District 6 for more than 25 years.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office asked anyone with information relevant to the case to contact detectives at 503-846-2500.