A former youth basketball coach who sexually abused at least five young girls took a huge gamble Friday that he would qualify for a special sentencing alternative that would allow him treatment instead of a 20-year prison sentence.
David W. Etheridge, 44, who used to coach girls basketball for the Alderwood Boys and Girls Club and Lynnwood Tigers Youth Sports, pleaded guilty Friday in Snohomish County Superior Court to first-degree child rape and first-degree child molestation.
The two counts encompass sexual activities with five young victims who were abused between 1998 and 2000, deputy prosecutor Kathy Jo Kristof said.
Susan Gaer, Etheridge’s defense attorney, said she will ask the judge for a special sentencing alternative that would allow the Lynnwood man to receive a term of six months in the county jail and then extensive treatment for sexual deviancy.
He first must undergo an evaluation to see if his case is suited for the special alternative. He must then convince a judge that he deserves such an opportunity. Gaer said she believes Etheridge is a good prospect because he wants and needs the treatment.
There is a big risk for him.
If he isn’t allowed the short jail term and treatment, Kristof said she will ask the judge to give him an exceptionally long sentence, partly because he violated a trust. She said she would ask for 20 years in prison, and the defense has agreed not to dispute that.
Judge Linda Krese accepted Etheridge’s guilty plea and assigned the case to herself for sentencing April 22.
In addition to the two cases against the five girls, Etheridge pleaded guilty in October to one count of possessing child pornography. Under state law, the standard range for the offense is roughly 11 to 14 years behind bars.
Etheridge coached some of the victims, Kristof said, and all were friends of his daughter. One was a neighbor. They were between the ages of 8 and 11 when they were assaulted, court documents say.
Kristof said the parents of all five victims likely will address the court before Etheridge is sentenced.
In court papers, Kristof accused Etheridge of using his position as a father, neighbor and youth basketball coach to gain access to and sexually assault the five youngsters.
Since 1998, she said Etheridge portrayed himself as an involved parent and remained active in youth sports activities to stay close to young girls, Kristof said.
The criminal case came together in October when a friend of Etheridge’s daughter told her that two other friends had been molested years ago. All the girls are now in their early teens.
At the time, the daughter and her brother lived with Etheridge. They now live with his ex-wife, court documents say.
The children started their own investigation and discovered child pornography on Etheridge’s computer. Sheriff’s deputies found more than 800 images of child pornography on computer disks confiscated from Etheridge.
Reporter Jim Haley: 425-339-3447 or haley@heraldnet.com.
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