PORT ORCHARD — A Poulsbo man who disappeared before his court date in 1990 and was arrested in Oklahoma last year entered a guilty plea to four counts of first-degree statutory rape.
The Kitsap Sun reports that 71-year-old Ronald Paulson placed an Alford plea on Wednesday. This guilty plea means that Paulson does not admit to the criminal acts but that the evidence against him would likely lead to a conviction.
Court documents indicate Paulson was charged in 1987 after state child welfare workers notified police about accusations that he assaulted a girl over several years.
Investigators in Washington state discovered Paulson was using the name Warren Big-Eagle and living in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma.
Paulson also pleaded guilty to indecent liberties and bail jumping. His sentencing is scheduled for November.
