Portland man arrested on charges of rape, abuse while working at Camp Caldera in Camp Sherman
Barney Lerten
Note: This article has been corrected to reflect that the individual identified and arrested by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office was not a camp counselor at Camp Caldera per Caldera.
CAMP SHERMAN, Ore. (KTVZ) — A 29-year-old Portland man was arrested Thursday on rape, sexual abuse and related charges of sexual misconduct while working at Camp Caldera in Camp Sherman, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputies said.
Here’s the press release from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office:
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating multiple allegations of sexual misconduct involving a camp counselor at Camp Caldera in Camp Sherman, Oregon.
On August 12, 2025, Deputy Larson responded to the initial report. Deputy Larson met with the reporting parties and victims at a neutral location, where several individuals provided detailed statements. During the interviews, the victims identified the suspect as “Bear,” later confirmed to be Zackary Perry, 29, of Portland, Oregon.
During the investigation, multiple accounts of inappropriate conduct and sexual misconduct by Perry were documented. The reported incidents included unwanted physical contact, inappropriate comments, and coercive behavior toward victims at the camp.
On August 21, 2025, Detective Josh Capehart and Deputy Larson, with assistance from the Portland Police Bureau’s Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT) and the Child Abuse Team, arrested Perry at his residence in Portland without incident. He was transported to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office where he is currently lodged on the following charges.
Charges included:
• Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree – ORS 163.415 (Class A Misdemeanor)
• Assault in the Fourth Degree – ORS 163.160 (Class A Misdemeanor)
• Harassment – ORS 166.065 (Class B Misdemeanor)
• Rape in the First Degree – ORS 163.375 (Class A Felony)
• Sodomy in the Second Degree – ORS 163.395 (Class B Felony)
• Unlawful Sexual Penetration in the First Degree – ORS 163.411 (Class A Felony)
• Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree – ORS 163.425 (Class C Felony)
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to conducting a thorough and impartial investigation to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals involved. Anyone with additional information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
Following the arrest of the staff member, Caldera provided this statement to KTVZ News:
At Caldera, the safety and well-being of our youth, staff, and community is our highest priority.
Eleven days ago, three staff members came forward with serious allegations regarding the behavior of a former employee. We took immediate action: we terminated his employment and, at the staff members’ request, reported the matter to the Jefferson County Oregon Sheriff’s Office.
We want to be clear: we have no information that any youth or children were impacted. The allegations were made by adult staff members.
To clarify for our community: the individual in question was employed as a Youth Advocate and Media Coordinator—not a camp counselor. In addition, we want community members to know that to protect both the youth and staff, in addition to running thorough background checks on every staff member, we adhere–at all times–to the “Rule of Three.
”Under this rule, individual staff are never alone with an individual youth: staff + 2 youth; or 2 staff +1 youth. The “Rule of Three” is maintained both in person and via email (Programs Coordinator or other full-time, regular staff member, must be cc’d on any correspondence with youth.)
Since that time, we have been cooperating fully with law enforcement as they conduct their investigation. Out of respect for those affected and to protect the integrity of the legal process, we are limited in what we can share. What we can share is our continued commitment to transparency, accountability, and the safety of every young person, staff member, and artist who is part of the Caldera community.
We know this news is deeply upsetting to many. Our priority now is to support those who have been harmed and to ensure Caldera remains a safe, empowering, and creative space for the young people and artists we serve.
If you have information relevant to the investigation, please contact the Jefferson County Oregon Sheriff’s Office at 541-475-6520 and ask for Detective Capehart or Deputy Larson.