MADRAS, OR -- A former Madras Police officer was sentenced Thursday to six years in federal prison for the repeated sexual abuse of a minor. According to the US Attorney’s Office, the investigation into 35-year-old John Wallace, Jr. began in January 2018 when the victim and her mother contacted Warm Springs Police to report the abuse. Investigators say it took place over several years at his home on the reservation and on a separate occasion in Madras. 

According to the Madras Pioneer, Wallace worked for Warm Springs Police prior to being hired by Madras PD in 2015. He was put on leave when the investigation began in January 2018, and fired a few months later.

Wallace pleaded guilty on January 3, 2019, to three counts of abusive sexual contact with a minor. In a related state matter, a Jefferson County judge found him guilty of attempted sexual abuse in the first degree and official misconduct in the first degree. He'll be sentenced Friday on those counts. 

After prison, Wallace will serve a life term of supervised release.