An investigator with the U.S. Coast Guard pleaded guilty Thursday in Clark County Superior Court to three charges, including third-degree rape.
Jonathan Sall, 57, of Poulsbo entered guilty pleas to the rape charge, as well as indecent liberties without forcible compulsion and residential burglary.
Senior Deputy Prosecutor Dan Gasperino said the state is recommending a sentence of six years in prison, because Sall’s crimes are considered a most serious offense, which carry a harsher punishment.
A plea agreement stipulates that Sall’s defense attorney, Steven Thayer, can argue for a sentence of four to eight months, however.
Sall said nothing beyond answering Judge Gregory Gonzales’ routine questions with, “Yes, your honor.”
According to a probable cause affidavit, Clark County deputies were called shortly after 6 a.m. Feb. 17 to the Hazel Dell residence after Sall allegedly climbed into a co-worker’s bed and sexually assaulted the co-worker’s girlfriend.
The victim told deputies that she awoke about 3 a.m. to Sall inappropriately touching her. She kicked Sall away and demanded he get out of the couple’s bedroom. The commotion woke up the co-worker, who saw Sall crawling out of the bedroom, court records said.
Sall told investigators that he was at the couple’s residence for a party and couldn’t remember much of what transpired overnight. He declined to answer questions about the sexual assault, according to court documents.
Sall is a civilian employee with the Coast Guard Investigative Service in Seattle and is the special agent in charge of the Coast Guard’s Northwest region. He has been relieved of his position pending the outcome of the case, according to the Coast Guard.
The attorneys did not address the allegations Sall was admitting guilt to during Thursday’s change of plea hearing. A report with those details must be completed before his Sept. 5 sentencing.
The law requires Sall to be jailed before the sentencing takes place, but he will remain out of custody until shortly before the hearing.
