Press Release

Former State Trooper Sentenced for Sexually Assaulting Three Aniak Women

August 15, 2005

(ANCHORAGE) - Former Alaska State Trooper Daniel Scott, 45, entered a No Contest plea today for sexually assaulting three Alaska Native women in Aniak between 2002 and 2004. The plea came on the same day his trial was scheduled to begin in Bethel on those and other related charges.

Under the terms of the plea, Scott will spend four years in jail and must register as a sex offender for 15 years after completion of this jail term and any parole that may be available.

Scott, an 18-year veteran of the troopers, was arrested in November, 2004 after an investigation by AST into reports that he was abusing his law enforcement position to access vulnerable women in the rural community where he had been stationed since 2000. Some events occurred while he was on duty, in uniform, and/or using his patrol vehicle.

"These cases are complex and painful for all concerned, and I am pleased that these women will not have to go through a trial. Sexual assault cases in rural villages affect the entire community and it takes a great deal of courage for women to come forward and tell their stories," said OSPA Sexual Assault Coordinator Teresa Foster, the prosecutor in this case. "I commend the state troopers for their diligent investigation into these accusations without regard to the fact that one of their own was a suspect."

"This isn't the maximum sentence that he could have received but he is being held accountable for this conduct," said Meghan Gaughan, Legal Advocate for the Tundra Women's Coalition. "The community condemnation is recognized by a jail term and the strong guarantee that he will never work as a trooper or have that kind of power and position again."

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Department Media Contacts: Communications Director Patty Sullivan at patty.sullivan@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6368. Information Officer Sam Curtis at sam.curtis@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6269.