((Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story stated Hunter was sentenced to nearly 17 years in prison. His sentencing is Feb. 5.))
Sean Michael Hunter, 24, pleaded guilty to four counts on Dec. 31. His sentencing is on Feb. 5 in San Juan County Superior Court.
Hunter, also known as Sunshine and Sean Marley, pleaded guilty to two counts of rape in the third degree, a class C non-violent felony, one count of rape of a child in the second degree, a class A violent felony, and assault in the third degree with sexual motivation, a non-violent sex offense. As part of the plea, the “with sexual motivation” was dropped from the assault charge.
Hunter was originally charged in three cases for a total of six counts for five separate acts. He pleaded guilty under two cases for four accounts with three victims.
Background
On Sept. 13, a woman told a San Juan County Sheriff’s deputy that on Sept. 12, Hunter sexually assaulted her at Sunken Park in Friday Harbor. The victim initially tried to stop him, but when he became physically aggressive, she told the deputy that she was in shock and too frightened to speak.
A 14-year-old victim reported that she, too, was abused by Hunter the same day as the woman who had reported earlier. The victim said Hunter gave her alcohol and when she was intoxicated he sexually assaulted her.
On Sept. 15, a San Juan County Sheriff’s detective waited at the Friday Harbor ferry terminal because he heard that Hunter would be on the 2 p.m. sailing. The detective wanted to interview Hunter about the report of sexual assault from the woman. While waiting, the detective was approached by a woman who said her 13-year-old sister was sexually assaulted by Hunter. The suspect never appeared on the boat.
On Sept. 16, the detective met with the girl and her sister. The girl reported that on Aug. 21, she went to Hunter’s campsite near the upper Port of Friday Harbor parking lot behind a yellow trailer.
The victim told the detective that Hunter gave her alcohol and marijuana. After drinking three beers, the girl reported that she told Hunter she didn’t want anymore, but Hunter pressured her to continue drinking.
The victim then stated that when she decided to go to sleep, Hunter began touching her inappropriately. She told the detective that she told Hunter to stop, as she felt very drunk. According to the detective’s report, she “gave into Hunter’s advances, as she was unable to get up and leave due to her high level of intoxication.” Then Hunter and the victim had sexual intercourse. The girl was 12 at the time of the alleged sexual assault.
The girl did not tell anyone of the incident until two weeks later when she confided in her sister. Several weeks prior to the alleged assault, the girl told Hunter her age, according to court documents. Two friends of the victim confirmed to the detective that they were present when she told Hunter her age.
One of her friends told the detective that Hunter said he might have made a mistake and thought he had sex with the victim.
Hunter was arrested on warrants in Medford, Oregon, on Sept. 28.
His previous criminal history includes possession of drug paraphernalia, engaging in engaging in lewd conduct and battery all in Las Vegas, Nevada.
