Update: In August 2020, a Washington County jury acquitted the man accused in this case of all charges related to the incident.

Washington County deputies arrested a 31-year-old man Thursday on allegations he followed a woman when she stepped off a MAX train, then attempted to sexually assault her under a nearby bridge.

The county sheriff’s office said a woman was taking MAX from Clackamas to the Willow Creek stop in Aloha. The man allegedly followed her off the train early Thursday and grabbed her near Southwest 197th Avenue, dragging her under a bridge.

The woman had an electronic stun gun and used it to fight off her attacker, according to the sheriff’s office. She ran to a nearby convenience store where a clerk called 911.

Deputies said they found a suspect a few blocks away and struggled with him as they attempted to make an arrest, using a taser to help subdue him.

The alleged attacker, O’Neal Payne, faces charges related to kidnapping, sexual abuse, harassment and resisting arrest. The sheriff’s office asks any witnesses to Thursday’s events to call (503) 846-2700.

-- Mike Rogoway | mrogoway@oregonian.com | twitter: @rogoway | 503-294-7699

Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.