The trial for a Friday Harbor man charged initially with child molestation and later rape of a child has been set for April 14.
San Juan County Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Teresa Barnett requested Chan Su Choi, 44, be held on $500,000 bail after his most recent charges of two counts of rape in the first degree — domestic violence and one count of rape in the second degree — domestic violence, which are class A felonies.
During the defendant’s arraignment on Jan. 13, Barnett said he posed a “danger to the community,” there was a “likelihood he could commit another violent crime” and there was a greater flight risk due to the more serious charges.
“Bail is all we are left with (to impose as a restriction) in a crime such as this,” Barnett said.
Choi’s attorney, Robert Bulloch, argued that his client had upheld the requirements of his previous release in May 2024 after being charged with four counts of child molestation. He said Choi is unlikely to re-offend or not appear in court, and he has no criminal history.
Judge Kathryn Loring denied the state’s request for bail, citing legal statutes and that bail should not be used as a punishment.
“I think it’s significant that this case has been pending since May and the defendant has complied (with his release conditions),” she said, adding that the alleged crimes happened in secret but were crimes of opportunity — not the same as a crime against a stranger.
“I don’t find a factual or legal basis to impose bail,” Loring said.
In Choi’s initial release, he was ordered not to communicate with minors. For the new charges, Loring has added that the defendant cannot go to locations where minors congregate, and he must appear in person for his next hearing, which is Feb. 10.
Details of the case
A minor reported in April 2024 that she had been molested by Chan during the previous year. The victim said she had been “building up the bravery” to talk about it after a Safe San Juans advocate visited the school’s health class the month previously. When asked by the deputy if the alleged abuse went beyond molestation, she said no.
In May, the victim spoke to a Child Forensic Interviewer at the Brigid Collins Child Advocacy Center, where she gave a similar report.
Choi was brought in for questioning to the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office two days later. He stated he did not recall doing what the victim described and would “never” do what he’s been accused of. Choi was charged, arraigned and released at the end of May.
In November, Bullock submitted a motion to dismiss the charges based on insufficient evidence, citing the State v. Knapsted precedent. Judge Loring denied the motion.
In January 2025, the victim asked to speak with law enforcement to report “snapshots” of memories that were returning to her. She described being raped by the defendant, starting when she was in kindergarten and continuing for several years. She alleged that Choi told her not to tell anyone.
