Two Rivers man convicted sexually abusing minors, sentenced to 30 years in prison

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - A Two Rivers man has been sentenced to serve 30 years in prison for sexually abusing two minors. Martin Wayne Cook, 60, was convicted by a jury in 2019 of having sex with a minor between 2011 and 2013. He was found guilty of sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree and sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree.

Investigators also charged him with sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree for abusing another victim in 2017. The jury found him guilty of that count as well.

Cook had requested a mitigator for a less serious offense claiming that because the abuse only happened twice it was least serious. Superior Court Judge Paul Lyle rejected this argument and denied his request.

“The fact that the cunnilingus was testified to as happening only twice doesn’t render this conduct least serious,” Lyle said.

Judge Lyle said in his sentencing comments on Wednesday that Cook posed a serious risk to the community and that the chances of his rehabilitation were low.

“The defendant’s inability to take responsibility for his actions and his minimization and perverted justification of his action leaves the court in doubt that he will not recidivate,” said Lyle.

The judge stated that Cook showed little remorse at the trial, instead downplaying the severity of the crime and trying to shift the blame. Cook was also found to be in possession of child pornography. Those charges were dropped after the judge found that investigators had illegally searched Cook’s phone. Judge Lyle said that while the charges were dropped, the existence of the child pornography did play a role in his sentencing decision.

Cook was sentenced to 42 years with 12 suspended meaning he will serve 30 years in prison. When Cook is released from prison he will be required to register as a sex offender for life and be on probation for 15 years.

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