Enumclaw Man Accused of Sex with a Minor Begins Six Month Sentence

The Enumclaw martial arts instructor who last month entered an Alford plea of guilty to a reduced single count of third-degree attempted rape of a child after being accused in 2011 of having sexual relations with a then 15-year-old female student, was sentenced to six months jail time Friday in King County Superior Court.

In the case of Samuel Shane Alvidrez, 51, Judge Mariane Spearman ruled in accordance with the prosecutor's sentencing recommendation, which also includes a continued no-contact order with all minors upon release, supervised probation, a sexual deviant evaluation and various testing, and registration as a sex offender.

Defense attorney Richard Warner's request for a 60 day sentence - 30 days of which are community service along with work release, was "not appropriate or sufficient," said Spearman.

The alleged victim and her parents agreed with Spearman's assessment and in addressing the court also indicated that the maximum possible jail time of 364 days for this charge was still not enough.

"I want to emphasize how hard it is living in Enumclaw after everything that has happened," the girl said.

Her mother said the situation has put a strain in the entire family who had watched her transition from a regular, friendly girl to one who was reclusive and unhappy. "That's what family does, we suffer together," she said.

It was "pure misery" not know what was wrong with his daughter, her father said, but when the accusations first came out, "I'd never been so mad."

A year and a half later, "we will all need much more counseling," he said.

This case has split the community, said Warner, who in acknowledging the girl's family, added, "this was a very difficult resolution. I don't think either side is happy with it."

However, from his client's perspective, it was time to move on, which was why he accepted the plea agreement last month.

Alvidrez "realizes there's a substantial likelihood a jury could find him guilty," Warner said, in spite of his continuing to maintain his innocence.

Addressing the court directly, Alvidrez said he hopes to turn this situation into something positive and continue to move forward with his work and family. " I do want to get on with my life in a really bad way," he said.

Alvidrez's oldest daughter and wife spoke on his behalf as well and testified to his generosity in the community.

The strain of the case has also affected them, his wife said. The family's home has been vandalized, their cat has been poisoned, and Alvidrez cannot attend his own children's activities at school because of the the no-contact order. "We need Shane's strength to help us through," she said.

An unsettled point arose regarding the order and whether it could be reduced to simply the alleged victim rather than all children. It was affecting Alvidrez's ability to work and support his family, Warner said.

Spearman said the no-contact order would for the time being, still encompass all minors, though upon Alvidrez's release and evaluation, she'll hear the expert's recommendation.

The court's sentence was "a bittersweet victory," the girl's mother said. "I'm grateful my daughter didn't have to testify. .. I'm so proud of her and her strength."

Her father continued, "[she] is alive and recovering. She has a beautiful smile and it's heartwarming to see it again."