Press release from the District Attorney’s Office:
Yesterday,
a jury found Mark Alan Dare, 58, of Humboldt Hill, guilty of multiple
sexual assault offenses involving children 10-years-old or younger
and Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child. The verdict followed a
three-week jury trial, held in the large conference room at the
Veteran’s Memorial Hall to minimize risk of disease transmission.
Dare.
The case
arose in January 2018 after 14-year-old Jane Doe 1 told her high
school teacher that her stepfather, Dare, had molested her as a
child. After learning of her sister’s bravery in coming forward,
Jane Doe 2 disclosed to law enforcement that she also had been abused
by Dare. In a subsequent interview of the defendant, Humboldt County
District Attorney Senior Investigator (DAI) Steve Dunn obtained
admissions from Dare that proved essential to establishing his guilt.
During a search of Dare’s residence, Investigators with the
Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office seized several computers, phones,
and other electronic devices. During the trial, Detective Donald
Rowberry of the Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force testified
that analysis of the seized evidence revealed child pornography and
computer searches that included, “statute of limitations: child
molestation.”
Most
importantly at trial, Jane Doe 1 (now 17 years old), and Jane Doe 2
(21) provided crucial testimony. Each spent over six hours on the
witness stand and showed incredible resiliency and courage in
testifying in the face of their abuser.
The case
was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Whitney Timm with
assistance from DAI Steve Dunn and District Attorney Victim Witness
Advocate Caitlyn LaHaie.
Judge Kaleb Cockrum presided
over the trial and Humboldt County Public Defender Marek Reavis
represented the defendant.
The
defendant now faces sentencing on November 19, 2020, when he could
receive life in prison.
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