On Nov. 2, a teacher from Akiachak pleaded not guilty to 10 felony counts of sexual abuse and assault of a minor. The defendant, John Mark Hammonds, is a sixth-grade teacher who began working at the Yupiit School District in 2017. The alleged abuse of a student began occurring in Akiachak over the summer, according to an affidavit from Alaska State Troopers.
If convicted, Hammonds faces up to 99 years imprisonment per count. Hammonds is being represented by Nathaniel Hainje of the Public Defender Agency in Bethel. The state has appointed a special prosecutor in the case: Bailey Woolfstead, a former Assistant District Attorney for Bethel. The next pre-trial hearing is scheduled for Nov. 18.
