Press Release

Anchorage Man Convicted of Sexual Assault

February 6, 2015

55 year old Dwight "Sam" O'Connor was convicted today by an Anchorage jury of one count of sexual assault in the first degree. The conviction follows a two week trial. This is the second trial for O'Connor for these charges. In February 2014, O'Connor was acquitted of two counts of sexual assault in the first degree and Judge Kevin Saxby declared a mistrial as to one count of sexual assault in the first degree when the jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision on the count.

On July 21, 2011, Anchorage Police responded to an Anchorage residence after a woman reported she had been sexually assaulted. The woman's report came minutes after O'Connor dropped her off following the sexual assault. The woman reported that O'Connor picked her up while she was hitchhiking and drove her to his camper trailer in an industrial lot. O'Connor then sexually assaulted her in the trailer.

The case was thoroughly investigated by the Anchorage Police Special Victims Unit.

O'Connor faces a sentence of 20 to 30 years in prison. He will be sentenced on June 4, 2015 by Judge Saxby.

The victim's timely report to law enforcement was a critical aspect of the State's ability to successfully prosecute this case. Anyone who believes they have been sexually assaulted should contact 911 or Standing Together Against Rape (STAR) at 1-800-478-8999. Visit www.staralaska.com for more information.

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.