Kobuk man wanted on sexual-assault charges

A Kobuk man suspected of sexually assaulting a teenager is wanted by Alaska State Troopers, who say he may be getting help to evade capture.

An arrest warrant for 53-year-old Clifton R. Sun includes first-degree and second-degree counts of sexual assault and sexual abuse of a minor, as well as fourth-degree assault.

Troopers said in a Tuesday dispatch that the charges stem from "an incident involving a 14-year-old victim in late May of 2015." Court records show that a case was opened against Sun the following month, and troopers say they have been seeking him ever since.

"Troopers believe that previously some people were assisting in hiding (Sun) and supporting Sun's ability to remain free on these serious offenses," troopers wrote. "Recently it was reported to troopers that Sun has been seen in the community of Kobuk during the past week but community members were unable to detain him."

On Tuesday, troopers were in Kobuk — a village of about 150 people, 130 miles northeast of Kotzebue — to look for Sun.

Anyone with information on Sun's whereabouts is asked to call the Kotzebue trooper post at 907-442-3222, or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously and be eligible for a possible reward at 907-561-STOP.