Sex Crimes in Seattle 

Just last month, Level III (high risk of re-offending) sex offender, Nathan Rae Huber, stole a car with a 16-year-old girl sleeping in the back seat and then sexually assaulted the girl. Reportedly, Huber approached a woman who was exercising on a staircase, asking her if she knew it was not safe to leave her car running. The woman answered that it was "ok" because her daughter was asleep inside the vehicle. Less than ten minutes later, the woman's daughter texted her, saying she had been kidnapped in the car—as it turns out, by the same man who approached the mother.

Huber is being charged with car theft and second-degree kidnapping with sexual motivation. Because Huber has a former sex crime conviction, a conviction for the current charges could result in a “second sex crime strike” leading to a life sentence without parole under Washington state law. Before the girl escaped from the vehicle and called 911, Huber allegedly groped her breasts and buttocks.

What is a Seattle Sex Crime?

Seattle, like other major cities, has its share of sex crimes. Those charged with such a crime must take the charges very seriously, as the repercussions and penalties for a sex crime in the state of Washington are very severe. There is a broad range of offenses which fall under the category of sex crimes in the state, including:

• Rape
• Rape of a child
• Sexual molestation of a child
• Sexual misconduct with a minor
• Voyeurism
• Custodial misconduct

The rape of a child in the first degree is a Class A felony; sexual intercourse is defined as penetration, even to a slight degree, and even when that penetration involves an object rather than a body part. Generally speaking, when a child is involved in such a crime, arguing the age of the victim was not known is rarely a defense. In addition to penalties such as jail or prison time and hefty fines, a person who is convicted of a sex crime in the state of Washington will be required to register as a sex offender. This registration can be every bit as difficult as being incarcerated. A person convicted of a sex crime who must now register as a sex offender must: 

• Register a new address any time a move is made due to seeking education or work in a different area
• Be fingerprinted and photographed when a move is made and registration occurs
• Give notice within three business days of the move to the County Sheriff’s Department 

For those convicted of a violent sexual offense, sex offender registration could be required for life. Others may be able to register for a specified number of years.

Potential Defenses to Sex Crimes in Seattle

Consent is always an important issue in a sexual offense case. There must be sufficient evidence to clearly indicate the sexual relations were not consensual. Further, if it can be shown the alleged victim has a history of making similar accusations or if the alleged victim has a personal grudge against the defendant, then there may not be sufficient evidence for a conviction. Other potential defenses for a sex crime include:

• The child or adult victim made a claim which was not true. False memory syndrome occurs when a child or adult claim a traumatic event occurred when in fact, it did not.
• Misidentification of the defendant
• The encounter was consensual
• The defendant was under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• The defendant had a mental illness

Have you or someone you love been arrested and charged with a sex crime? Contact the Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyers at Lewis & Laws.

If you have been arrested and charged with a sexual offense, it is imperative you speak to an experienced Seattle criminal defense attorney at Lewis & Laws, PLLC as quickly as possible to minimize the potential consequences of the charges. Our attorneys have represented individuals in Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Everett, and throughout the state of Washington. Contact us today at 206.209.0608 or fill out our online contact form to get more information or to get a free case review!