The trial for an Anchor Point man accused of sexual abuse of two children has been pushed back to April.
Daniel Lee Hinsberger, 56, was arrested in January 2014 and faces five charges of first-degree sexual abuse of a minor and two charges of second-degree sexual abuse of a minor. The alleged abuse was reported to Alaska State Troopers after one of the victims, 6 years old at the time, disclosed over dinner that Hinsberger had sexually abused her while she was at his home, according to an affidavit signed by Trooper John Probst.
Interviews and examinations at South Peninsula Hospital revealed that Hinsberger had also sexually abused another minor, age 5, in his home, according to the affidavit.
Hinsberger has pleaded not guilty and is represented by Jason Gazewood, based in Fairbanks. An attorney filled in for Gazewood over the phone at a trial call Wednesday at the Kenai Courthouse, saying that Gazewood had been in contact with the assigned district attorney and that it had been agreed upon to move the trial back.
Kenai Superior Court Judge Anna Moran agreed to the delay, setting Hinsberger’s next trial call for April 20.
“I’m expecting this to be the last continuance,” Moran said, emphasizing that the case has been open for a long time and should not be delayed again unless for a good reason.
The abuse allegedly occurred over a span of time between 2009 and 2013, according to the affidavit.
Sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree is an unclassified felony, for which Hinsberger could face 20-99 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000 for each charge if convicted. Second-degree sexual abuse of a minor is a class B felony, which carries a punishment of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
Reach Megan Pacer at megan.pacer@peninsulaclarion.com.
