Wolford convicted of attempted first-degree sexual assault in Homer

HOMER, AK (KINY) – A jury in Homer found 33-year-old Vance Wolford guilty Wednesday on several counts, including attempted first-degree sexual abuse, first-degree exhibitionism, two counts of fourth-degree assault, two counts of first-degree stalking and two counts of first-degree trespassing.

The conviction stems from a series of incidents that occurred on May 21, 2022. According to evidence presented at trial, Wolford made an aggressive proposition to a woman as she left the Grog Shop East parking lot at 10:30 p.m. Surveillance video captured Wolford standing next to a Chevy Astro van before walking toward her. Despite her clear refusal, he followed her as she drove away.

The woman, suspecting she was being followed, made a U-turn to confirm her suspicions. Wolford did the same. In an attempt to avoid him, she drove quickly home, but Wolford followed her trail down the dirt road and parked in her driveway.

An altercation ensued when the woman got out of her vehicle and told Wolford to get out. Instead, Wolford chased her back to her car, prevented her from closing the door, and attempted to drag her out. During a six-minute struggle, he attempted to sexually assault her while preventing her from calling 911. The woman managed to dial 911 and threw away her phone, which was connected to her vehicle’s Bluetooth system. The 911 operator heard her call for help and subsequently dispatched Alaska State Troopers.

Wolford eventually exited the vehicle and masturbated, after which the woman was able to lock her car door and drive to safety while giving the 911 operator a description of the woman. Her timely call and description allowed law enforcement to act quickly.

Earlier that evening, Wolford had similarly approached another woman who was gardening outside her home. Shaken by his aggressive advances, she locked herself inside. Wolford returned less than an hour later, peered through her windows, and was videotaped by the woman, who also noted his license plate number. She passed this information on to Homer police, who were on alert when the second 911 call came in.

Thanks to the quick reaction and actions of both women, Homer police were able to arrest Wolford as he attempted to leave town.

Wolford has been in custody since his arrest. He faces 15 to 30 years in prison for attempted first-degree sexual assault, with a maximum sentence of 99 years, plus additional time for other charges. The trial lasted five days, with the jury deliberating for less than four hours before reaching a verdict.

Assistant District Attorney Jon Iannaccone, who prosecuted the case, praised the bravery of the women involved. “This case involved two remarkably capable women whose actions stopped the defendant and led to police quickly arresting him,” he said.

If you have any further questions, please contact Assistant District Attorney Jon Iannaccone at [email protected].