Press Release

Anchorage Man Sentenced to 45 years in Prison for May 2011 Sexual Assault

May 13, 2014

On May 12, 2014, 37 year old Anchorage resident Matthew Alexie was sentenced to spend 45 years in prison for a May 2011 sexual assault in Anchorage.

The victim met Alexie near the Brother Francis Shelter as she was returning to her tent camp in Mountain View. Alexie lured the victim toward the woods near Third Avenue with the promise of alcohol. Once Alexie was in the woods with her, he began kissing her and groping her and then took off her pants and underwear against her will. He then sexually assaulted her. After the sexual assault, Alexie left the victim on the side of Commercial Avenue.

The victim approached a woman in a parked car and told the woman she had been raped. The woman called Anchorage Police who took the victim to the Sexual Assault Multi-Disciplinary Center. DNA evidence linked Alexie to the victim.

Alexie faced a sentencing range of 40 to 60 years. He had seven prior convictions, including two prior felonies, one of which was a 1999 attempted sexual abuse of a minor conviction.

Anchorage Superior Court Judge William Morse sentenced Alexie to 60 years with 15 years’ probation and 15 years’ probation. Judge Morse explained that this sentence was necessary to deter others and provide community condemnation.

CONTACT: Assistant District Attorney Jenna Gruenstein @ (907) 269-6300 or jenna.gruenstein@alaska.gov at the Anchorage District Attorney’s Office.

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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.