Valley man faces sexual abuse of a minor charges

PALMER — One man is charged with three counts of sexual assault of a minor after the victim broke silence after three years of advances from the man who was is a relative.

Court documents obtained on the three Class B felony charges against Ernest Bedwell say that on Aug. 9, a potential victim reported alleged abuse to a counselor. The abuse allegedly occurred during the summer of 2015, and the young victim developed a behavioral issue that required treatment up to the confession.

The counselor responded by notifying a member of Bedwell’s family.

The victim described that they felt like their shoulders were really heavy, and felt like they were now light, and a load had been taken off.

According to case documents, Bedwell allegedly began a pattern of the felony touching during the summer of 2015. He would take the victim to their room or the living room most often, and sometimes his room, and would unlawfully touch with his hands. On Aug. 11, a warrant for electronic recording and surveillance equipment was granted by a judge in the Anchorage Court.

A telephone conversation that included Bedwell apologizing to a family member was recorded, according to court documents. After realizing the call was being recorded, Bedwell stated that he had only told the victim to remove their clothes and touched their shoulder. Bedwell finally admitted that he is screwed up and he is human over the phone.

According to court documents, the potential abuse occurred in Houston.

Bidwell has a $5,000 cash performance bail with house arrest and restricted areas until his next court appearance on Aug. 22 at the Palmer Courthouse.