An Unalaska jury has acquitted a man accused of sexually assaulting a woman last year aboard a floating processor docked at the island.
On Friday, jurors returned six “not guilty” verdicts, clearing 33-year-old Jorge E. Rivera of all charges related to sexual assault, assault, and burglary.
State prosecutors argued that Rivera entered the woman’s bedroom on the F/V Gordon Jensen and touched her without consent, after a night of heavy drinking. But his defense attorneys maintained there is no evidence he ever entered the room.
Jurors found Rivera guilty on one misdemeanor count of criminal trespass for being on the vessel after visiting hours.
Superior Court Judge Erin Marston sentenced him to 10 days’ imprisonment, suspended for time already served.
“You dodged a huge, huge issue here," Marston told Rivera after the sentencing. "Don’t drink to excess. Bad things can happen.”