A Kent, Washington, man has pleaded guilty to a heinous crime that shook a community in the Pacific Northwest. Christopher James Kuna, a 36-year-old man, admitted to sexually abusing a 14-year-old child in Olympic National Park in August 2020.
According to court documents, Kuna was a trusted family friend of the victim and the victim’s family. On the evening of August 24 and into the early morning of August 25, Kuna plied the victim with alcohol, causing the child to become severely intoxicated to the point of vomiting. He then took advantage of the child, committing a sexual assault.
The crime was discovered after a family friend assisted the family in reporting the incident to local law enforcement. Due to the jurisdictional complexities involving the national park, the investigation was taken over by the National Park Service Investigative Division.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, the government will not recommend a sentence above 87 months in prison. However, U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle is not bound by this recommendation and can impose any sentence allowed by law. The maximum penalty for this crime is life in prison.
Kuna will be required to register as a sex offender following any prison term.
The case was investigated by the National Park Service and the FBI. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Angelica Williams, Jonas Lerman, and Hilary Stuart.
The tragic events of that summer night in Olympic National Park will have lasting consequences for the victim and their family. The community is grateful for the bravery shown by the family in coming forward and seeking justice.
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Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Category: Sex Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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