A Korean American man convicted of multiple child sex crimes has been sentenced to 33 years in prison in San Juan County, Washington, after jurors cited aggravating factors that led to a longer term than the standard guideline.
According to the San Juan County Superior Court, Chan-soo Choi, 45, was sentenced on the 5th after admitting guilt to four counts of child sexual assault and four counts of child sexual abuse. The court imposed a 33-year prison sentence.
Local outlet San Juan Islands Journal reported on the 12th that the original sentencing range was 20 to 26 years. The term was increased after the jury that returned the guilty verdict recognized the severity of the crimes and multiple aggravating factors. Jurors cited the brutality of the offenses, the victim’s vulnerable and non-resistant condition, repeated acts against the same victim under age 18, aggravated domestic violence, and the use of trust and authority to facilitate the crimes.
The case came to light in April 2024, when a minor reported being sexually abused by Choi. The victim stated that the abuse began at age seven and continued multiple times until weeks before the report. Choi was initially charged with four counts of child sexual abuse but was released in late May 2024 due to insufficient evidence.
In January 2025, the victim provided additional testimony related to Choi’s alleged crimes. During the statement, the victim claimed Choi said, “Who would believe you?” and told the victim not to tell anyone. During the investigation, Choi denied all allegations of sexual assault, stating that he did not remember the victim’s claims.
Prosecutors later filed four additional counts of child sexual assault. The first trial, held in April 2025, ended in a mistrial after the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict. The retrial resumed in November 2025, when jurors unanimously found Choi guilty.
BY YOONSEO SONG [song.yoonseo@koreadaily.com]
