Lynden man pleads guilty to forcefully raping two women in 2023
A Lynden man has pleaded guilty to forcefully raping two women roughly six months apart in 2023.
Nurlan Levi Varner, 21, pleaded guilty July 11 in Whatcom County Superior Court to two counts of third-degree rape (no consent).
Varner was previously facing three felony sexual assault cases, including one in which formal charges were filed while he was out on bail awaiting trial in his first sexual assault case.
Varner was initially charged Sept. 5 with one count of second-degree rape (forcible compulsion) for raping a woman the day prior while they were at his house in the 100 block of West Hemmi Road in Whatcom County. Varner forcefully raped the woman, who repeatedly said no, and hit her in the face multiple times, according to court records.
His charge was amended down to one count of third-degree rape as part of an agreed plea deal between the prosecuting and defense attorneys, court records show.
Varner was released Sept. 6 on a $5,000 cash alternative in the case, The Bellingham Herald previously reported.
While out on bail, Varner was formally charged April 23 with one count of second-degree rape (forcible compulsion), one count of second-degree assault (strangulation) and one count of felony harassment (threats to kill) for allegedly raping a different woman at least twice between April 15 and April 18, The Herald previously reported.
Varner was arrested April 22 and booked into the Whatcom County Jail. He has remained there since, in lieu of $1 million bail, jail and court records show.
The Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has agreed to dismiss that case against Varner in exchange for guilty pleas in his two other cases, court documents state.
Varner was formally charged two weeks later, on May 6, in a third case. He was charged with one count of third-degree rape (lack of consent) for raping a woman in late February 2023 after they met on an online dating app, The Herald previously reported.
Varner pleaded guilty as charged in that case.
Varner’s sentencing for the two cases he entered guilty pleas in has tentatively been scheduled for Aug. 22.
The prosecutor’s office is expected to recommend an exceptional sentence above the standard range for Varner’s crimes at his sentencing hearing as part of an agreed plea deal between the prosecuting and defense attorneys, court documents show.
Varner’s standard range is 15 to 20 months in prison, the records show.
The prosecutor is expected to recommend Varner serve two years in prison, with three years probation. The prosecutor will also request the judge issue post-conviction no-contact orders between Varner and the women; that he be required to register as a sex offender; that he receive sexual deviancy treatment; that he will not have any dating relationships or sexual partners without prior Washington State Department of Corrections notification and approval, and that he not be allowed to use dating applications while on probation, court records state.
A pre-sentence investigation report conducted by DOC is required by law to be completed prior to Varner’s sentencing hearing. The investigation, which will cover Varner’s version of events, victim impacts, and Varner’s personal, professional and social history, will also include a conclusion and recommendation as to whether or not inpatient or community-based treatment would serve the best interests of the community and Varner.
The report is due within three months and must be completed prior to Varner’s sentencing hearing.
Resources
▪ Brigid Collins Family Support Center: 360-734-4616, brigidcollins.org
Brigid Collins Family Support Center professionals are on-call between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, to answer questions about children, families, abuse prevention or treatment at (360) 734-4616.
▪ Child Protective Services: Washington state hotline for reporting child abuse and neglect, 866-829-2153.
▪ Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services: 24-hour Help Line: 360-715-1563, Email: info@dvsas.org.
▪ Lummi Victims of Crime: 360-312-2015.
▪ Tl’ils Ta’á’altha Victims of Crime: 360-325-3310 or nooksacktribe.org/departments/youth-family-services/tlils-taaaltha-victims-of-crime-program/
▪ Bellingham Police: You can call anonymously at 360-778-8611, or go online at cob.org/tips.
▪ WWU Consultation and Sexual Assault Support Survivor Advocacy Services: 360-650-3700 or wp.wwu.edu/sexualviolence/.
If you or a child is in immediate danger, call 911 and make a report to law enforcement.
To report child abuse or neglect call 1-866-END HARM.
