MEDFORD, Ore. (Feb. 6, 2026) — A Jackson County judge sentenced a 33-year-old man to more than 17 years in prison this week after convicting him of kidnapping and assault in a domestic violence case stemming from a 2023 incident in Medford.
Joseph Latu Jr. was found guilty following a two-day bench trial before Circuit Court Judge Jeremy Markiewicz of first-degree kidnapping constituting domestic violence and first-degree assault constituting domestic violence, the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office said. The judge acquitted Latu of a charge of first-degree rape tied to the same incident.
Prosecutors had sought the maximum sentence allowed under Oregon’s sentencing guidelines — 330 months, or 27½ years — but Markiewicz imposed a 200-month sentence, or about 17 years, followed by three years of post-prison supervision. The first 90 months will be served day-for-day under Measure 11, which mandates minimum prison terms for certain violent crimes.
The charges stemmed from an October 2023 incident in which the victim, who was dating Latu at the time, reported an argument at his apartment. When she tried to leave, authorities said, Latu dragged her back inside by her hair and assaulted her, causing significant injuries. The victim testified she was unable to leave the apartment for several days because of continued violence and threats of further harm.
During that time, the victim said, Latu had sex with her while one of her eyes was swollen shut from the earlier assault, and she feared further violence if she resisted.
In explaining the not-guilty verdict on the rape charge, Markiewicz said the evidence did not establish beyond a reasonable doubt that Latu knowingly engaged in sexual intercourse by forcible compulsion as defined under Oregon law, which requires proof of physical force or threats causing fear of serious injury or death.
Prosecutors said Latu has a history of violent offenses and was on probation at the time for fourth-degree assault constituting domestic violence involving a different victim. In August 2025, he also pleaded guilty to two counts of strangulation constituting domestic violence for conduct in September 2023 against the same victim in this case and was sentenced to 28 months in prison.
The case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Samantha Olson and Deputy District Attorney Samantha Blount. The district attorney’s office praised the victim for reporting the abuse and testifying at trial and thanked the Medford Police Department for its investigation.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in three women and one in four men in the United States experience domestic violence during their lifetime. Local resources include Community Works at http://www.community-works.org or its 24-hour helpline at (541) 779-4357.
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