New details about Oregon City private music teacher accused of raping child revealed in court

OREGON CITY Ore. (KPTV) – An Oregon City private music teacher accused of raping and sexually abusing a child was arraigned in court on Friday.

Derek Reeder, 44, appeared virtually in a Clackamas County court after being indicted by a Clackamas County grand jury earlier this month.

Reeder is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with an underage girl spanning from 2024 through January of this year.

According to the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Reeder met the child in the summer of 2023 while working as a music teacher at Hannah Grace Family, an Oregon City nonprofit.

In court Friday, prosecutors said Reeder met the girl when she was 13 years old and was “quickly grooming her for sexual contact.”

Reeder was reportedly fired by the organization in 2024, but deputies allege he later communicated with the victim through text messages and Instagram before sexually abusing her on several occasions.

He faces charges of:

• First-degree rape (two counts)
• Second-degree sexual abuse (two counts)
• Second-degree kidnapping
• Second-degree assault
• Fourth-degree assault
• Administering marijuana to a person under 18

Reeder also owns Slinky Strings, a music business that provides guitar lessons to people of all ages.

The business is located in the Harding Building on Main Street in Oregon City. Neighboring business owners say Reeder was arrested by Clackamas County sheriff’s deputies outside of the office hub on Thursday.

Reeder was lodged in the Clackamas County Jail. On Friday, prosecutors requested a $500,000 court security amount be set by the judge. Reeder has been ordered to stay away from the victim.

Taylor Bachman runs a counseling practice in the Main Street office space. He says some of his clients have taken lessons with Reeder. He calls the allegations alarming.

“I have kids and families who come in — to hear that that may have been occurring here or offsite is deeply concerning,” Bachman said.

Investigators believe Reeder may have additional victims.

Anyone with information about criminal activity by Derek Reeder or other possible victims is urged to contact the sheriff’s office at 503-723-4949 or at clackcosheriff.us/submitATip. Reference CCSO Case No. 26-001816.

FOX 12 has reached out to the nonprofit Hannah Grace Family for comment.