Whatcom County man accused of raping child gets 8-year sentence with plea deal
A Whatcom County man was sentenced to almost eight years in jail in Whatcom County Superior Court on Wednesday on charges including child rape.
Fredy Eduardo Martin Esteban, 24, was initially arrested Nov. 11, 2022 on a charge of first-degree child rape. He posted $20,000 cash bail on Jan. 1, 2023.
While he was out of custody, his former girlfriend disclosed multiple incidents of domestic violence to police. She said Martin Esteban emotionally, verbally and physically abused her and her child in 2021 while she was pregnant.
A warrant was issued for Martin Esteban’s arrest on Feb. 9, 2023. He was taken back into custody on Aug. 5, 2024, and has remained at the Whatcom County Jail since then.
Martin Esteban pleaded guilty to amended charges of second-degree child rape, second-degree assault by strangulation and misdemeanor assault on March 17.
Public defender Saritha Anjilvel acknowledged that Martin Esteban was charged with “very serious crimes,” but also pointed out Martin Esteban’s age when the crimes were committed.
“This is a heavy sentence,” Anjilvel said.
Martin Esteban briefly addressed the court during his sentencing, saying he accepts the charges and will serve the time if that’s what the victims want.
The child and woman were not present in court and did not provide impact statements for the pre-sentencing information report conducted by the Department of Corrections.
Judge Evan Jones followed the agreed recommendation of 95 months in DOC custody, the bottom of the standard range. Once the time is served, with the potential for good time credit, Martin Esteban’s case will go before the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board (ISRB).
The ISRB is a quasi-judicial board that makes decisions about a convicted person’s release or further incarceration based on an analysis of someone’s past and present behavior and their risk to public safety. The ISRB has the ability to sentence Martin Esteban to life in prison.
If Martin Esteban is released from prison, he will spend a lifetime in community custody. Lifetime no-contact orders for the child and woman also are in effect.
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 hot line 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 report sexual assault 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.