SNOHOMISH — Brewer Frank Sandoval was sentenced to jail for six months, which started Dec. 13, on one count of communicating with a minor for immoral purposes by Snohomish County Superior Court Judge George Appel Dec. 13.
Sandoval's sentence for the gross misdemeanor is 180 days in jail, with credit for any days already served and for good time, with the remaining 184 days of the sentence suspended.
The sentence obligates Sandoval to register as a sex offender, and includes numerous conditions about when Sandoval is around minors.
The sentence came a week after a jury found Sandoval not guilty on two charges of second-degree child molestation and guilty of one charge of communicating with a minor for immoral purposes.
Appel upheld the jury's decision at a sentencing hearing in his courtroom.
Appel set the jail sentence to begin immediately versus a request to give Sandoval some time to make arrangements as a business co-owner. He has co-owned SnoTown Brewery on Second Street.
"Mr. Sandoval, you have done a great deal of damage," Appel said, admonishing his actions as "selfish, thoughtless and perverse."
Ahead of sentencing, more than one dozen contacts and friends wrote letters to Appel promoting Sandoval’s character and seeking to have the jury’s remaining guilty verdict overturned.
Appel addressed this, calling them his loyal friends, but that “doesn’t mean loyal friends can carry much weight in my opinion.”
There was no reason to question the jury’s decision, Appel said.
The teenage girl and her parents testified at the sentencing hearing. They considered Sandoval a friend, the father said. Their daughter read a statement that this experience has caused her to possess “deep suspicions of men” and that the actions “have completely changed the course of my life.”
The conditions on Sandoval include that he cannot be in contact with anyone under 18 without there being an adult present who is aware of the sex crime conviction.
SnoTown is a family-friendly brewery. Appel said this may mean Sandoval may have to find another place of work after getting out of jail.
He is also on 24 months probation until Dec. 13, 2025.
Sandoval’s attorney Laura Shaver said in court that if convicted, Sandoval would intend to appeal.
Recent coverage:
Jury finds Snohomish brewer not guilty on molestation charges
SNOHOMISH — A jury found Snohomish brewer Frank Sandoval not guilty on two charges of second-degree child molestation and found him guilty of one charge of communicating with a minor for immoral purposes.
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