Child rape charges against Port Angeles man dismissed

PORT ANGELES — Child rape charges have been dismissed against a Port Angeles man because the statute of limitations has run its course.

Cory A. McCown, 57, was charged last July with two counts of second-degree child rape with special allegations that he abused a position of trust.

The alleged crimes occurred between August 2001 and September 2002 when the girl was between 12 and 13.

Under the current Revised Code of Washington, second-degree rape of a child can be prosecuted until the victim turns 30.

The alleged victim in the case turned 30 on Friday, court papers said.

“I was time-barred from prosecuting him, so that’s the reason why it was dismissed,” Clallam County Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Michele Devlin said Monday.

“There’s not a lot more I can discuss.”

Court order

Superior Court Judge Erik Rohrer signed Friday an order dismissing the case with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled.

McCown also was exonerated of a $5,000 bail he had paid and an order preventing him from having contact with the Yakima woman who accused him of raping her when she was a seventh-grade child living in Port Angeles.

McCown pleaded not guilty at his July 27 arraignment and has maintained his innocence.

He vehemently denied the allegations at his initial court appearance July 20, saying the woman’s claims were “completely spurious” and “bogus.”

The woman told Port Angeles police May 31 that McCown assaulted her when she was a child and while she was sleeping, according to the affidavit for probable cause.

A one-week trial was previously set to begin April 15.

Defense attorney Karen Unger filed a motion to dismiss the case Aug. 29, saying the statute of limitations at the time of the alleged offenses allowed for prosecution until the woman turned 21 or seven years after their commission, whichever comes later.

“To fall within the statute, alleged offense should have been reported no later than Sept. 21, 2009, or Sept. 20, 2009, which is both three years after the complaining witness’ 18th birthday or seven years after the offense was allegedly committed,” Unger wrote.

The statute of limitations for second-degree child rape was modified in 2013.

Other crimes against children that may be prosecuted until the victim’s 30th birthday are first and second-degree rape; first and third-degree rape of a child; first, second and third-degree child molestation, indecent liberties, incest and sexual exploitation of a minor, according to RCW 9A.04.080.

________

Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Olympic Medical Center to explore outside partnership

Process to explore long-term viability

After learning about each other through a genealogy service 15 years ago and speaking on the phone for years, Steven Hanson of Montevideo, Minn., and Sue Harrison of Sequim met for the first time a few weeks ago. The siblings were placed for adoption by their biological mother about 10 years apart. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Adopted as babies, siblings meet decades later

Sequim woman started search for biological family 15 years ago

Derek Kilmer.
Kilmer looking to next chapter

Politician stepping down after 20 years

Jefferson County PUD General Manager Kevin Streett plans to retire next summer. (Elijah Sussman/Peninsula Daily News)
Jefferson County PUD general manager to retire

Kevin Streett plan to serve until June 2025

Port Angeles, waterfront district agree to three-year deal

Funds from parking, quarterly billing to help with public events

From left to right: Special Olympics Washington Athlete, Port Angeles Police Chief Brian Smith, East Wenatchee Police Officer Brandon Johnson, Port Angeles Deputy Chief Jason Viada, Undersheriff Lorraine Shore, Sheriff Brian King, Chief Criminal Deputy Amy Bundy and Fife Police Officer Patrick Gilbert. (Clallam County Sheriff’s Office via Facebook)
Clallam County undersheriff named Torch Run Sheriff of the Year

Clallam County Undersheriff Lorraine Shore has been selected as… Continue reading

Oliver Pochert, left, and daughter Leina, 9, listen as Americorp volunteer and docent Hillary Sanders talks about the urchins, crabs and sea stars living in the touch tank in front of her at the Port Townsend Marine Science Center. Pochert, who lives in Sequim, drove to Port Townsend on Sunday to visit the aquarium because the aquarium is closing its location this month after 42 years of operation. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Aquarium closing

Oliver Pochert, left, and daughter Leina, 9, listen as Americorp volunteer and… Continue reading

Tree sale is approved for auction

Appeals filed for two Elwha watershed parcels

Port Townsend City Council to draw down funds in 2025 budget

City has ‘healthy fund reserve balance,’ finance director says

Man flown to hospital after crash investigated for DUI

A 41-year-old man was flown to Olympic Medical Center in… Continue reading

Signal controller project to impact traffic

Work crews will continue with the city of Port… Continue reading