By Matthew Nash
Sequim Gazette
Douglas John Allison, former principal and teacher at Mountain View Christian School in Sequim, could be facing 24 years in prison after accepting a plea offer on Aug. 4 in Clallam County Superior Court.
Allison, 55, pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree child molestation and two counts of first-degree rape of a child against two students.
His sentence hearing is set for 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14, in Superior Court inside Clallam County Courthouse.
Michele Devlin, Clallam County chief criminal deputy prosecuting attorney, said victims and family members will read testimony at the sentencing.
On April 1, Allison previously pleaded not guilty to eight counts of first-degree child molestation and four counts of first-degree rape of a child before taking a plea offer.
For each of the molestation charges, he was facing 149-198 months in prison, and 240-318 months for each count of rape. Allison could be 79 when released from prison if the judge sentences him to the full 24-year recommended sentence from Devlin.
Clallam County Public Defender Harry Gasnick said he went over the plea offer with Allison for an hour on Aug. 3 and he feels confident Allison understands the charges.
Devlin made the recommendation of 288 months in prison along with Allison losing the right to own a firearm and vote unless allowed by the court upon release.
Judge Brian Cougenhour said due to the nature of the crimes, Allison will not be able to post bail. It was previously set to $100,000.
Allison spoke a nearly inaudible “yes, sir” when admitting to the four charges.
In his statement, Allison admitted to sexual contact and intercourse with the female victims, then 10 and 11 years old starting in September 2015 during classes while other students studied.
About 15 people sat in the courtroom watching the change of plea hearing including family members and Allison’s wife Judy.
Allison was hired by the school along with his wife Judy Allison in August 2013 to teach grades 4-8 while Judy taught kindergarten-third grade.
Allison was arrested March 29 after a Clallam County Sheriff’s Office investigation, which began on March 23 when the mother of the then 10-year-old reported sexual abuse to law enforcement.
He was placed on leave and eventually fired by the Washington Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, which is heavily involved in decisions at the school along with the school board and supporting church, Sequim Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Heidi Baumgartner, communication director for the Washington Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, said the school remains in operation and more details are forthcoming about the new school year.
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