Anchorage, Alaska – A convicted sex offender will die behind bars after receiving what amounts to a life sentence for the horrific 2022 kidnapping and sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl who miraculously escaped his torture.
David Anderson, 52, was sentenced this week to 50 years in federal prison—on top of an 85-year state sentence—ensuring he will never walk free again. The punishment comes after the Alaskan teen survived being duct-taped, sexually assaulted, shot at, and left for dead in freezing woods, only to chew through her restraints and flag down help.
A “Monster’s” Brutal Crime
On November 2, 2022, the girl had just stepped off her school bus in Wasilla when Anderson lured her into his car, claiming he was lost. Once inside, he pulled a revolver, forced her to fake-smoke meth, then bound her hands, beat her, sexually assaulted her, and—after blindfolding himself—fired the gun at her before abandoning her in a remote area.
Miraculously, the bullet missed. The teen chewed through the tape, stumbled to a road, and was rescued. Anderson, a registered sex offender from a prior 2000 child assault case, was arrested the next day.
“She Ensured He’ll Never Harm Another Child”
Prosecutors praised the victim’s “extraordinary bravery” for surviving and ensuring Anderson’s capture. During sentencing, U.S. Attorney Michael Heyman called the crime “an unimaginable random act of horror,” while Alaska State Troopers confirmed the stacked sentences mean “this violent man will never be released.”
Anderson, who admitted to investigators he “let the monster out,” had been struggling with meth addiction. His prior record and the brutality of the attack led to one of Alaska’s harshest penalties.
The case highlights the dangers of repeat offenders and the resilience of survivors. As authorities noted: Because she fought to live, he’ll die in prison.
