The State of Alaska is charging a Prince of Wales Island man with over 40 felony and misdemeanor counts following an Alaska State Trooper drug distribution investigation.
The charges include felony sexual abuse of a minor, sexual assault, and witness tampering. They also include murder of an unborn child from an alleged assault that resulted in a miscarriage.
According to Troopers, 24-year-old Payton Brewer allegedly distributed drugs and alcohol to minors on Prince of Wales Island.
Troopers say that during their investigation, multiple juveniles and adults “independently and consistently reported sexual offenses, domestic violence, controlled substance distribution, witness tampering, and endangerment of minors.” Some of the charges allege that Brewer provided alcohol to minors and then sexually abused them.
Troopers say Brewer admitted to most of the alleged offenses, which occurred in numerous Prince of Wales communities between 2023 and 2026.
Ketchikan District Court Judge Kristian Pickrell set bail at $1.1 million cash during Brewer’s arraignment hearing on Tuesday. The judge said the court would appoint him a public defender. If convicted on all charges, Brewer could spend the rest of his life in jail. An attorney at the hearing entered not guilty pleas for Brewer on the misdemeanor charges, like assault in the presence of a child.
Brewer’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 22 at the Prince of Wales Courthouse in Klawock.
Hunter Morrison is a Report for America corps member for KRBD. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep him writing stories like this one. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution.
