Anchorage man sentenced for child sexual abuse

by Angela Blanchard
Friday, Sept. 19, 2008

ANCHORAGE, Alaska-- An Anchorage man originally charged with 83 counts of child sexual abuse was sentenced to serve 30 years in prison Friday.

Back in June, 53 year-old James Kraus pled "no contest" to sexually abusing two girls, age six and seven, in his Fairview apartment.

Kraus could have faced 99 years in prison but the sentence was reduced under the plea agreement.

The victim's mother said the family had known and loved Kraus for more than 10 years but says the abuse has caused her daughter to suffer physical and emotional problems.

"There are places in town we no longer can go as a family, because it causes her to have flashbacks for what Jim did to her," said the victims mother in court. "My child does not feel safe in her own home the majority of the time and recently has been asking to move out of the state of Alaska to get away from this man."

Anchorage Superior Court Judge Patrick McKay acknowledged the pain and suffering Kraus has caused to the victims.

"It's unbelievable the innocence and the childhood that was stolen from these victims," said Judge Patrick McKay. "You have driven them to both physical and mental health problems as we've heard here today. Quite frankly I wasn't sure if it was long enough. I understand why the state enters into these agreements and I'm going to respect that."

Kraus, who will be 73 years-old when he's eligible for parole, did not address the court.