An 84-year-old man who worked as an in-home caregiver in Port Angeles was sentenced on October 15 to 12 months and one day in prison for third-degree rape and second-degree assault involving a vulnerable adult in his care.
Clallam County Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Stanley imposed the sentence on Donald L. Breazeale, following an agreed recommendation from the prosecution and defense. He will also serve three years of community custody under Department of Corrections supervision.
Breazeale entered an Alford plea on September 3. In his signed plea statement, he declined to admit guilt but acknowledged a substantial likelihood that he would be convicted at trial and said he wanted to accept the state's plea offer.
The sentence includes 12 months and one day for rape and 12 months for assault, served at the same time.
The investigation began when the victim went to the Port Angeles Police Department with a case manager on June 27, 2024, to report a sexual assault, according to a police account included in the presentence report. The victim told investigators that a stroke had left him needing help with household chores, shopping and transportation.
The victim described unwanted sexual contact during caregiving visits and told police he tried to move away during one encounter.
Investigators obtained caregiving schedules and reviewed surveillance footage showing Breazeale entering the victim's apartment in June 2024, according to the report. The victim also underwent a sexual assault examination at Olympic Medical Center.
Police obtained a warrant to collect Breazeale's DNA. According to the investigative account, Washington State Patrol laboratory testing provided very strong support that he contributed to a DNA profile recovered from the victim's examination kit.
Breazeale initially denied sexual activity, telling police he had given the victim massages. In a later email to investigators, he acknowledged sexual contact but claimed it was consensual, according to the report. The victim had told investigators he did not consent.
The presentence report raised concern that sex-offender treatment could be complicated if Breazeale continued to view the encounters as consensual. The Department of Corrections supported the agreed sentence, noting that it fell within the standard sentencing range.
At sentencing, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Seth Corley and defense attorney John Hayden asked Judge Stanley to follow the agreement. The victim addressed the court, as did Breazeale.
The judgment requires Breazeale to obtain a sex-offender evaluation and follow recommended treatment, comply with sex-offender registration requirements, and surrender his caretaker credentials to the state Department of Health.
His community custody conditions prohibit him from working or volunteering to care for unrelated dependent people.
Judge Stanley also prohibited contact with the victim through Oct. 15, 2036. Restitution remains to be determined.
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