JUNEAU, Alaska, Aug. 22 -- The Alaska Department of Law (Attorney General) issued the following news release:

August 20, 2026

(Palmer, AK) - Today, a Palmer jury foundRobert Hawes, 72, guilty of two counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in the First Degree, one count of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in the Second Degree, and one count of Attempted Sexual Abuse of a Minor in the First Degree.

The jury returned its verdicts after approximately two hours of deliberations following a week-and-a-half-long trial.

The convictions stem from conduct that occurred on June 4, 2021, involving a four-year-old child. Evidence at trial established that Hawes committed multiple acts of sexual abuse against the child in his home.

During trial, the defense presen...