A 52-year-old man from Alaska has been sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison for a shocking and brutal crime against a teenage girl. David Anderson, already a convicted sex offender, received two major sentences—50 years in federal prison and 85 years in state prison—for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in 2022.
How the Incident Unfolded
On a cold afternoon, November 2, 2022, the teenage girl had just stepped off her school bus in Wasilla, Alaska. As she walked home, Anderson approached her in his car and asked for directions, pretending to be lost. Once she was inside the vehicle, the situation turned terrifying.
According to investigators, Anderson pulled a gun on the girl, forced her to pretend to smoke meth, tied her hands with duct tape, and covered her head with a blanket. He then hit her and assaulted her before firing a gun in her direction. Thinking she was dead, he left her in a wooded area and drove away.
Her Courage Saved Her Life
Despite her injuries, the girl didn’t give up. She chewed through the duct tape and managed to find help on a nearby road. Her bravery led to Anderson being arrested the very next day. He was taken to the Anchorage Correctional Complex, where he has remained ever since.
A Long History of Abuse
Anderson was no stranger to the law. In 2000, he had already been convicted for sexually assaulting a minor and was a registered sex offender at the time of the 2022 attack. After his arrest, Anderson told authorities that he had “let the monster out,” suggesting he knew the seriousness of what he had done.
Court and Sentencing
Last year, Anderson received an 85-year sentence from the Alaska state court as part of a plea deal. That sentence dropped some charges like attempted murder. Now, with the addition of a 50-year federal sentence, authorities say he will never walk free again.
The teenage survivor attended the federal sentencing hearing remotely. Prosecutors praised her as incredibly brave for surviving such a horrifying experience and helping put her attacker behind bars for life.
Officials React to the Outcome
U.S. Attorney Michael Heyman called Anderson’s crime an “unimaginable random act of horror.” He added, “The survivor showed extraordinary bravery in escaping this horror, and the Alaska State Troopers and FBI mounted an incredible investigation to hold this predator accountable.”
Alaska State Trooper Colonel Maurice Hughes said this case shows how strong cooperation between federal and state law enforcement can lead to justice. “This violent man will never be released back into our community to victimize another Alaskan child,” he said.
The Community in Shock
Wasilla, the small Alaskan town where the crime occurred, is located about 40 miles north of Anchorage. With a population of just around 10,000 people, the crime deeply affected the close-knit community.
This case has shocked Alaska and the nation. But thanks to the extraordinary bravery of a 14-year-old girl and the fast work of law enforcement, a dangerous predator has been taken off the streets forever. David Anderson’s combined 135-year sentence ensures that he will never have the chance to hurt another child. His imprisonment stands as a powerful reminder that justice can prevail—even in the face of unimaginable cruelty.
