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Caseworker might change plea By JONEL ALECCIA A former Jackson County caseworker may plead guilty to two of 24 charges that he sexually abused and sodomized his developmentally disabled clients, court records show. The move, set for a hearing on Monday, indicates a settlement has been reached between the lawyer for Robert Forrest Jackson, 63, of Talent, and the Jackson County District Attorney's Office. Court records filed Tuesday indicate Judge Patricia Crain will hear motions to change Jackson's not-guilty pleas on two charges of first-degree sexual abuse. The plea changes affect charges stemming from alleged incidents on June 30, 1995, and Sept. 1, 1997. Jackson, a 13-year veteran of the county developmental disability program, faces a dozen charges of first-degree sexual abuse and a dozen charges of first-degree sodomy in connection with accusations made by seven adult male disabled clients. If Jackson pleads guilty to the two charges, he could be sentenced to minimum imprisonment of 61/2 years and a maximum penalty of 10 years under Oregon law. First-degree sexual abuse is a Class B felony and a Measure 11 offense. Jackson could also face fines of $200,000 for each charge. In addition, Jackson could be identified as a predatory sex offender subject to state registration. Neither Jackson's court-appointed lawyer, Andy Vandergaw, nor District Attorney Mark Huddleston would comment Wednesday about the plea changes. The move would avoid two trials now set for July 10 and 24, sparing alleged victims what prosecutor Terry Smith has described as extreme anxiety about testifying. All victims have been enrolled in the county program that accepts clients with IQs of 70 or below. Average IQ is 100. Since Jackson's arrest in August, the victims have shown signs of stress, Smith has said, including self-mutilation and heavy alcohol use. One trial involves a single client and eight charges; it was separated from the remaining charges and clients because Smith had once represented the victim. Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.