Press Release

Anchorage Man Convicted In Sex Assault Case

March 17, 2016

(Anchorage, Alaska) – On March 16, 2016, following a two week trial, an Anchorage jury found 57 year old Timothy Walunga guilty of sexually assaulting an incapacitated woman.

On June 6, 2014, two U.S. Army soldiers who had been shopping for cars at a nearby car lot observed Walunga with his hands in the pants of an incapacitated female. After challenging Walunga, who immediately began to walk away from the scene, the soldiers called 911. They remained on the telephone with the 911 dispatcher as they followed Walunga until the Anchorage Police Department caught up with him.

The jury found Walunga guilty of attempted sexual assault in the second degree and sexual assault in the third degree. The jury also found beyond a reasonable doubt that Walunga committed the crime against a particularly vulnerable victim. Walunga faces between 12 and 20 years in prison. Superior Court Judge Michael Corey scheduled sentencing for July 15, 2016.

The Anchorage Police Department, the Good Samaritan Soldier witnesses, Forensic Nursing Services of Providence and the Alaska State Crime Detection Laboratory all deserve credit for their efforts in this case.

Walunga's victim passed away in December of 2015 for reasons unrelated to the sexual assault.

CONTACT: Assistant District Attorney Arne F. Soldwedel @ (907) 269-6300 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.