26-year-old forced into servitude by caretaker, made to sleep in shed, Oregon cops say

A caretaker was arrested after being accused of forcing a man into servitude by making him sell snacks and drinks at a shopping center, Oregon police said.

Jack Hauser was not related to the 26-year-old victim, who has developmental disabilities, but became his caretaker after his mom died about two years ago, according to an Aug. 30 news release from Hillsboro officers.

Hauser forced the man to sell goods at the shopping center and made him stay there for days “without proper clothing or shelter from the elements,” police said.

When the man was done selling, he was only allowed to sleep in the car or a garden shed that didn’t have running water or electricity, officers said.

Hauser didn’t allow the man to talk to others and restricted his access to money, police said.

A search warrant was executed on Hauser’s two properties and four cars, officers said.

He was arrested on charges of human trafficking, involuntary servitude, criminal mistreatment and failing to register as a sex offender, police said.

Hillsboro is about a 20-mile drive west of Portland.

This story was originally published September 3, 2024 at 3:51 PM with the headline "26-year-old forced into servitude by caretaker, made to sleep in shed, Oregon cops say."