Aldous case to go to trial

The following story contains graphic details.

The case against Jason Ryan Aldous, who is accused of misconduct with a minor, will go before a jury.

The defendant, 37, of Friday Harbor, was charged in San Juan County Superior Court on June 27 with rape in the second degree — physically helpless/mentally incapacitated; two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor; distribution of non-narcotic controlled substance to a person under 18; and sexual misconduct in the first degree.

During his arraignment, Aldous pleaded not guilty. The prosecuting attorney's office requested $250,000 bail. Judge Kathryn Loring set $25,000 bail, issued a pretrial sexual assault protection order and a GPS and alcohol monitoring device. Judge Loring found the defendant to be "likely a danger to the community, may seek to intimidate witnesses, or interfere with justice."

An omnibus hearing is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 17 at 9:30 a.m. at which time a trial date will be set.

On July 26, the prosecuting attorney's office moved to modify or revoke the conditions of Aldous' release after he provided a positive alcohol sample and missed four prompts from the court to submit his required samples.

According to Aldous' attorney Alister Dabreo, Jr. of Bradley Johnson Lawyers in Seattle, "Mr. Aldous has not willfully disobeyed the court orders to not possess or consume alcohol. Mr. Aldous used mouthwash that evening shortly before submitting a sample into the device. Due to poor cell connection and constant missed test reminders, Mr. Aldous never realized that a retest was required."

Judge Loring found no willful violation of the release conditions but "questioned the credibility" of Aldous and warned him against further violations.

Details of the case

In late May, San Juan County Detective Raymond Harvey met with a teen girl who detailed alleged abuse in the home of Aldous from November 2021 to April 2022.

The victim moved in with Aldous and his wife, who she both worked with at a Friday Harbor business, in October 2021. In early November, the couple became the victim's Minor (Child) Power of Attorney. The form was signed by the victim's mother, authorizing Aldous and his wife to have full custodial powers. There is evidence that shows the victim referred to Aldous and his wife as "mom and dad."

According to the detective's report, later that month the victim voluntarily committed herself to in-patient treatment at an off-island facility. She initially was sent to Peace Island Peace Health Hospital, where staff reported odd behavior by Aldous, including cuddling and kissing the victim. A deputy wrote a report about the alleged behavior but Detective Harvey told the Sounder it couldn't be determined that a crime had been committed.

According to the victim, the first incident of sexual intercourse occurred in mid-November after the defendant allegedly came into her room, gave her alcohol and had sex with her while she was intoxicated.

Starting in December, the two allegedly began having sex regularly while Aldous' wife was at work. He also began giving the victim Ativan and Xanax that had not been prescribed to her. In late December, the victim attempted to jump out of a second-story window. She was held back by Aldous, who she then bit. He called for his wife, who came into the room to help. The victim then told his wife about the sexual relationship. She reportedly asked Aldous and the victim if it was "consensual." Aldous claimed the victim had raped him while the two were drunk. According to the report, "he later explained to the victim that he had to say that otherwise (his wife) would divorce him."

The abuse allegedly continued until April 2022 with sexual intercourse happening multiple times a week. According to the probable cause statement, the victim alleges the defendant took videos and polaroids of the sexual encounters.

In March, a third party notified Child Protective Services about the alleged misconduct between Aldous and the victim. When questioned about it, the victim told CPS it was just a "rumor." Two months later, the victim contacted the sheriff's office to report the alleged abuse.

Police obtained a single-party consent order to record a phone conversation between the victim and Aldous. In the June 2 recording, Aldous spoke of supplying the victim with Xanax, having previous sexual acts together and meeting up later to have intercourse. The same day, Aldous was arrested. His cell phone was taken by police and his vehicle was towed and impounded at the Sheriff's Office. A search of his home revealed polaroid photos of the victim engaging in sexual acts. Aldous does not have a criminal history.