Spokane man found guilty of child-rape, molestation

Donta L. Blackmon said it wasn’t what it looked like when a 13-year-old girl fell asleep in her sister’s Spokane apartment and woke up with her clothes off and Blackmon standing next to her with his pants down. A jury disagreed on Monday.

Blackmon, 24, told a Spokane County jury he may have had “sexual contact” with the girl in August 2004, might have inadvertently committed child molestation because he didn’t know her age, but he didn’t rape her. The girl, who turns 15 later this month, described physical evidence that strongly suggested someone had sex with her.

Jurors convicted Blackmon of second-degree child rape and second-degree child molestation, but rejected overlapping charges of regular second-degree rape and indecent liberties. The charges were based on the same alleged sexual assault, but focused on different aspects of the alleged crimes.

Deputy Prosecutor Kelly Fitzgerald hadn’t determined what standard range Blackmon will face when Superior Court Judge Sam Cozza sentences him on Dec. 16. The range will be determined by Blackmon’s disputed criminal history, but Fitzgerald estimated he faces a minimum prison term of 62/3 to 101/4 years in prison.

While Cozza will set a minimum term, a state parole board will decide whether Blackmon ever is released. Under state law for serious sex offenders, Blackmon may be kept in prison as long as the state Indeterminate Sentencing Review Board considers him still dangerous.

Testimony indicated the victim was visiting in her older sister’s apartment on East Seventh Avenue, but her sister left. Blackmon and two other people the victim didn’t know remained at the apartment along with her sister’s female roommate.

The victim said she fell asleep in the living room and woke up in a bedroom, apparently just as Blackmon finished raping her.