ENTERPRISE — A 23-year-old Wallowa man is due in court at 2:30 p.m. on July 17 to enter pleas on 11 sex-crime charges, including two felony counts of rape in the third degree.

Ethan Milo Robert Matthews was indicted May 20 by a Wallowa County Circuit Court grand jury in the case. 

The two felony charges of rape in the third degree accuse Matthews of having sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 16. (Under Oregon law, people under 18 cannot legally give consent.)

The law does allow a defense to rape in the third degree charges if the parties involved are less than three years apart in age, but that defense does not appear to apply in this case.

Matthews also faces nine related misdemeanor charges: three counts of contributing to the sexual delinquency of a minor, three counts of sexual abuse in the third degree and three counts of sexual misconduct.

All 11 charges stem from three separate incidents, according to court documents: Two of the incidents occurred between April 1 and 21 of 2024. The third incident occurred between April 1 and May 10 of this year.

Some of the court documents in the case have been sealed to protect the alleged victim. 

Bail was set by Circuit Court Judge Thomas B. Powers at $20,000. Matthews was released from custody with conditions after posting $2,000, 10% of the bail amount.