PORT ANGELES — Prosecutors have filed charges against a Port Angeles man accused of having sexual contact with a minor with a mental health disorder over several years.
Byron G. Midkiff, 42, was charged in Clallam County Superior Court on Wednesday with two counts of first-degree rape of a child and two counts of first-degree child molestation, all with special allegations for having an ongoing pattern and for domestic violence.
Each of those charges also lists an alternative of the same charge, but in the second degree instead.
That means if the case goes to trial a jury would first be asked whether rape of a child and child molestation occurred.
The jury would then determine whether it happened before or after the alleged victim turned 12, which will determine the degree of the offense.
The special allegation for having developed an ongoing pattern comes with a maximum penalty of life in prison and would allow for sentences greater than the standard range.
Arraignment is set for 1:30 p.m. Sept. 20.
On Thursday Midkiff remained held in the Clallam County jail on $25,000 bail.
Court records say that Midkiff confessed to having ongoing sexual contact with a 12-year-old family member while Clallam County Sheriff’s deputies were responding to a report Sunday that he was suicidal and before he was read his Miranda rights.
Midkiff appeared in Clallam County Superior Court on Monday, where he was ordered held in the Clallam County jail on $25,000 bail — despite the prosecuting attorney’s request for $1 million bail.
The alleged victim, who is diagnosed with schizophrenia, told investigators that the sexual contact had been ongoing for six years.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsula dailynews.com.
