This article contains details about sexual assault that some readers may find disturbing.
A Kenai man has been charged with kidnapping and sexual assault following an investigation by Alaska State Troopers in Nikiski, according to an affidavit filed on Jan. 9 at the Kenai Courthouse.
At about 4:30 a.m. on Jan. 8, the Kenai Police Department received a call from someone reporting that they had been sexually assaulted by Christopher Barth, 42, of Kenai, in a vehicle near Marathon Road in Nikiski.
The victim had fled the vehicle and escaped to a wooden area while Barth was sleeping when the call was made, according to the affidavit.
Kenai Police reported finding Barth in a van parked on Grayling Road. Police also found the victim running down Escape Route Road with a large, fixed-blade knife, according to the affidavit. The victim reported grabbing the knife from Barth’s car before fleeing into the woods, the affidavit said.
In an initial interview with police, Barth admitted to smoking meth with the victim and showed signs of drug use, according to the affidavit. Barth also told police that once they had parked, he “did stuff” the victim did not like, and that the victim “wanted him to stop,” according to the affidavit.
Barth allegedly penetrated the victim without consent multiple times with his hand and prevented the victim from leaving the vehicle.
Barth allegedly took the victim’s phone, preventing the victim from calling the police at the time of the alleged assault. Once Barth had fallen asleep, the victim reportedly took a knife from Barth’s car and fled into the woods.
During the initial interview, Barth allegedly became combative with police officers and was subsequently handcuffed and transported to the Soldotna Post of the Alaska State Troopers to be interviewed by investigators. A search warrant for Barth’s blood was applied for and granted, and another search warrant was requested to search Barth’s vehicle — which was impounded at the Trooper Post — for any evidence of drug use or sexual assault.
During a follow-up interview at the Trooper Post, Barth punched the wall of the interview room while in handcuffs and caused approximately $100 worth of damage, according to the affidavit.
Barth has been charged with two counts of first-degree sexual assault, an Unclassified felony; one count of kidnapping, an Unclassified felony; one count of driving under the influence of controlled substances, a Class A misdemeanor; and one count of Criminal Mischief in the fifth degree, a Class B misdemeanor.
Reach reporter Brian Mazurek at bmazurek@peninsulaclarion.com.
