Opinion ID: 2546552
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Michael Ray Anderson

Text: ¶ 4 As a result of allegations that Michael Ray Anderson sexually molested his step-daughter for several years, the Lewis County Prosecutor's Office charged Anderson with 10 counts of third degree rape of a child. Anderson subsequently pleaded guilty to one count of first degree child molestation, one count of second degree child molestation, and one count of incest, relying on the State's recommendation to sentence within the standard range. ¶ 5 Following Anderson's guilty plea, the judge ordered a presentence investigation report (PSIR). The standard range sentences for Anderson's offenses were 98-130 months for count I, 57-75 months for count II, and 46-61 months for count III. Anderson sought Special Sex Offender Sentencing Alternative (SSOSA) treatment in lieu of some of his prison sentence. In furtherance of that alternative treatment, Anderson was evaluated by a sex offender treatment provider, whose report supporting SSOSA treatment was filed with the court. But in its PSIR the Department of Corrections (DOC) recommended that Anderson not receive an alternative SSOSA sentence, and instead recommended an exceptional sentence of 240 months, with 36-48 months of community custody following release. The State opposed an alternative SSOSA sentence and recommended sentencing only within the standard range, consistent with the plea agreement. ¶ 6 The trial judge denied Anderson's request for SSOSA sentencing and imposed an exceptional sentence of 240 months for count I and the maximum of the standard range for counts II and III (75 and 61 months, respectively). To do so, the judge found facts supporting aggravating factors any one of which, concluded the judge, could have supported the sentence. Those aggravating factors were: (1) A particularly vulnerable victim; (2) An on-going pattern of sexual abuse; (3) Use of a position of trust to perpetuate the offenses; (4) An abuse of trust; (5) An offense that involved a high degree of sophistication, planning, and grooming; and (6) Operation of the multiple offense policy of RCW 9.94A.589 would result in a presumptive sentence that is clearly too lenient in light of the purposes of the SRA. The conclusion of excessive leniency of the multiple offense policy was based on Anderson's multiple current convictions being counted as prior convictions, as provided in RCW 9.94A.589(1)(a). ¶ 7 Anderson appealed his conviction to Division Two of the Court of Appeals. Commissioner Ernetta Skerlec found no nonfrivolous issues for review and affirmed the conviction. The Court of Appeals subsequently denied Anderson's motion to modify the commissioner's ruling. Anderson filed a petition for review with this court. The United States Supreme Court then decided Blakely and Anderson filed a supplemental petition raising Blakely issues. This court granted Anderson's petition on the Blakely issues only and consolidated it with Selvidge and Hughes.