PORT ANGELES — The state Court of Appeals has upheld the 2011 conviction of Joel A. Wilson, a 44-year-old Port Angeles man who was sentenced to 25 years in prison for 13 counts of first-degree child rape.
The victim was between the ages of 5 and 11 and lived in Port Angeles when the crimes occurred between March 2002 and July 2008, according to charging papers.
Clallam County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney John Troberg said the court affirmed the conviction — and the length of Wilson’s sentence — Tuesday.
“We aggressively prosecute sex offences, particularly when the victims are young children,” Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney Deb Kelly said in a statement.
First-degree child rape is a Class A felony punishable by a maximum of life in prison and a $50,000 fine. The statute specifically protects children who are younger than 12.
The victim reported 13 incidents of sexual intercourse to her father, who phoned Port Angeles police in June 2009, court papers said.
By that time, the girl and her father had moved out of the area.
Kelly credited the bravery of the victim, who testified before a Clallam County jury, and the work of Port Angeles Police Detective Jason Viada and Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Ann Lundwall.
Viada investigated the case and arrested Wilson on Whidbey Island in August 2009.
Lundwall was the prosecutor at the February 2011 trial.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
