Yakutat man indicted for sexual abuse of teen

A Juneau grand jury indicted a Yakutat man on four counts of felony sex abuse for an illegal relationship he allegedly carried on with a 14-year-old girl for about a month, according to the indictment.

The charges against Richard Dean Williams Jr., 27, arose from conditions violations the week of June 30 when Williams was found “consuming” marijuana in his Yakutat home, and in the presence of an undressed teenager who was missing from her guardian’s home, District Attorney James Scott said during a July 2 bail hearing.

Williams had previously pleaded guilty to felony burglary and misdemeanor burning in May 2010 for which he is still on probation. Both of those offenses occurred in Yakutat and, aside from the criminal element, DA Scott said in court that Williams’ behavior even then was “sexual in nature.”

Williams broke into a Yakutat school when he was 20 and a surveillance camera caught him engaging in “phallic sexual behavior,” Scott said. The sexual act was not part of the criminal case then, but the court ordered Williams to enroll in the Coordinated Resources Project (mental health court).

“The hope for Mr. Williams was … (mental health court) could address some of the sexual action … before something else arose…” Scott said.

Williams, who appeared telephonically at his bail hearing, told Judge Kimberly Rice that his actions seven years ago stemmed from a drunken night and he was not a “sexual person.”

“There’s a lot of stuff that happened in my past,” Williams said. “I’ve been trying to prove to the community that I’ve been trying to better myself. … I didn’t realize I would go that far with this person —”

Williams was interrupted by DA Scott and Judge Rice at that point, both advising him to speak to a court-appointed attorney before speaking out in court.

Rice set Williams’ bail at $7,500. Since that bail hearing and after the July 13 indictment, Williams appeared in Juneau’s Superior Court on Thursday for an arraignment on the sex abuse of a minor charges and his trial is scheduled to begin in October.

As for the felony burglary and misdemeanor burning charges from 2010, Williams still has two suspended years he could serve if found guilty of violating the conditions of his release. Williams is scheduled to appear in court for further proceedings in that case on July 22.

Other indictments

A Juneau grand jury issued an additional three indictments on July 13. Indictments are accusations of illegal activity only and are not evidence or proof of guilt.

• Richard Clayton, 30, was indicted on two counts of third-degree felony assault, both stemming from a March 14 incident. The charge is punishable by up to five years in prison. Clayton previously pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge in 2010, according to online court records. Clayton is scheduled to appear in Juneau Superior Court on July 21 for his arraignment.

• Jeremy Joel Fish, 33, and Krystal M. Iacono, 32, were named in the same indictment as co-defendants in a contraband promotion case. The two face the first-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison, for an incident on May 14 when the pair allegedly brought in or attempted to bring in contraband into Lemon Creek Correctional Center. According to court notes from the July 13 grand jury, Fish is currently in LCCC and Iacono is a single mother living in Fairbanks.

Fish was most recently convicted of misdemeanor theft in August 2014 while in Anchorage. Before that, Fish pleaded guilty to felony assault (May 2014) and felony weapons possession (2007), according to online court records.

Iacono’s criminal history includes drunken driving (2001, 2007) in Fairbanks and incidents with controlled substances over several years (2009, 2012, 2014).

The pair is scheduled to appear in Juneau Superior Court for an arraignment on July 21.

• Robert J. Hillyer III, 34, was indicted for first-degree contraband promotion. Hillyer allegedly attempted to carry contraband into LCCC on May 23, which is a class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison. Online court records show Hillyer has a history of criminal convictions in Alaska dating back to 2004 that include felony fraud, theft, weapons and drug possession.

Hillyer is scheduled to appear for an arraignment in Juneau Superior Court on July 21.

• Contact reporter Paula Ann Solis at 523-2272 or paula.solis@juneauempire.com.

Related Links:

Juneau mother heads to prison for child endangerment

Boat targeted twice by possible arsonist, covered with racial slur

Alaska House majority spokesman fired after domestic violence charges filed

Guilty: Jury convicts man in domestic violence case on 13 of 14 counts

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Dec. 15

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

Pauline Plumb and Penny Saddler carry vegetables grown by fellow gardeners during the 29th Annual Juneau Community Garden Harvest Fair on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Dunleavy says he plans to reestablish state Department of Agriculture via executive order

Demoted to division status after statehood, governor says revival will improve food production policies.

Alan Steffert, a project engineer for the City and Borough of Juneau, explains alternatives considered when assessing infrastructure improvements including utilities upgrades during a meeting to discuss a proposed fee increase Thursday night at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Hike of more than 60% in water rates, 80% in sewer over next five years proposed by CBJ utilities

Increase needed due to rates not keeping up with inflation, officials say; Assembly will need to OK plan.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy and President-elect Donald Trump (left) will be working as chief executives at opposite ends of the U.S. next year, a face constructed of rocks on Sandy Beach is seen among snow in November (center), and KINY’s prize patrol van (right) flashes its colors outside the station this summer. (Photos, from left to right, from Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s office, Elliot Welch via Juneau Parks and Recreation, and Mark Sabbatini via the Juneau Empire)
Juneau’s 10 strangest news stories of 2024

Governor’s captivating journey to nowhere, woman who won’t leave the beach among those making waves.

Police calls for Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

The U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. Funding for the federal government will lapse at 8:01 p.m. Alaska time on Friday if no deal is reached. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times)
A federal government shutdown may began tonight. Here’s what may happen.

TSA will still screen holiday travelers, military will work without paychecks; food stamps may lapse.

The cover image from Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s “Alaska Priorities For Federal Transition” report. (Office of the Governor)
Loch Ness ducks or ‘vampire grebes’? Alaska governor report for Trump comes with AI hallucinations

A ChatGPT-generated image of Alaska included some strange-looking waterfowl.

Bartlett Regional Hospital, along with Juneau’s police and fire departments, are partnering in a new behavioral health crisis response program announced Thursday. (Bartlett Regional Hospital photo)
New local behavioral health crisis program using hospital, fire and police officials debuts

Mobile crisis team of responders forms five months after hospital ends crisis stabilization program.

Most Read