Port Graham Fugitive Captured in Washington State

     A Port Graham man wanted for Sexual Assault of a Minor was apprehended by U.S Marshals in Tacoma, Wash. Friday. 

     The U.S. Marshals made the arrest with help from the Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force. Forty-nine-year old Benjamin Lee Moonin was wanted by Alaska State Troopers for First Degree Sexual Assault of a Minor.

     According to a complaint filed by Alaska State Trooper John Probst, Moonin was accused by two people of sexually assaulting a three-year-old child in Port Graham on the night of January 12th, 2011.

     The complaint says that a babysitter caught Moonin with the child, who was undressed in the bathroom. Moonin was not supposed to be in the house at the time, said the babysitter, and acted strangely when confronted. Another adult in the house forced Moonin out of the home before both contacted Troopers the next day. 

     According to the complaint, the child told the babysitter than Moonin had sexually assaulted her. 

     When Trooper Probst conducted his investigation in Port Graham three days later, Moonin denied the accusation, saying that he and another man had entered the house seeking alcohol. Moonin said he saw the child on the toilet by herself, thought something was wrong and decided to help her.

     According to Alaska Court records, Moonin owes a $20,000 performance bond in the case.

     Moonin has a lengthy criminal history in Alaska and Washington, including convictions for First Degree Sexual Assault and Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. He is currently incarcerated at Pierce County Corrections Center in Tacoma, Washington without bond.  

     All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.