Bethel judge sentences man to 60 years for sexual abuse of a child

Matt Atcherian, 27, will serve 60 years in prison for sexually abusing a child under 13 who had been left in his care. Bethel Superior Court Judge Will Montgomery imposed the sentence on June 29. He added 30 years of suspended time and 20 years of supervision. Atcherian must register as a sex offender.

The abuse occurred in June 2020, according to the Alaska Department of Law. The child's parents found evidence of injuries, took the child to a clinic, then reported the matter to law enforcement. Alaska State Troopers investigated.

Atcherian waived his right to a jury after two days of jury selection. He went to trial before Montgomery on March 23. The judge found him guilty on both counts of first-degree sexual abuse of a minor and found an aggravating factor that widened the range of punishment available. First-degree sexual abuse of a minor is an unclassified felony in Alaska. For a first felony conviction, the presumptive range is 25 to 35 years when the victim is under 13. At sentencing, the child's mother described the effect of the abuse on the child and her family.

Bethel Assistant District Attorney Jason Sorensen and former Assistant District Attorney Chad Woolley prosecuted the case. The Department of Law release contains no statement from Atcherian or his defense. State court records in the case are available through the Alaska Court System.