A Sequim man was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Dec. 10 for one count each of rape of a child in the first degree and communicating with a minor for immoral purposes.

Judge Simon Barnhart sentenced James Barron, 31, to 120 months including time served for the felonies in Clallam County Superior Court after Barron, through his court-appointed defense attorney Charlie Commeree, agreed to a plea agreement on Nov. 5 and changed his plea to guilty.

According to Clallam County Prosecutor Mark Nichols, Barron’s sentence is subject to the Indeterminate Sentencing Review Board (ISRB) and once he finishes his sentence, the board will determine if he can be released. However, Barron could remain incarcerated for life.

Barron faced a range of 120-160 months for the rape of a child charge, and 22-29 months for communicating with a minor. Barnhart ordered Barron to have a lifetime of community custody if released, to register as a sex offender and receive treatment in prison, and to have no contact for the remainder of his life with the victim. He was also ruled as indigent.

A charge of rape of a child in the second degree was dropped on Nov. 5, according to court documents.

Both charges Barron pleaded guilty to included special allegations where he was in a “position of trust.”

According to the probable cause court documents, the now-12-year-old girl’s mother and stepfather, Barron’s brother, discovered text messages between James Barron and the girl, James’ niece, on her two phones, one owned by her mother and another from her biological father.

The parents reported their findings to law enforcement on Sept. 18 and Clallam County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of sexual assault at the Rainbows End RV Park west of Sequim.

After obtaining the phones, a digital forensic detective for the county discovered more than 9,000 text messages between the girl and Barron from March 2025 to September 2025, court documents state.

The text messages included conversations about the girl being given the Plan B pill, a miscarriage, the two being together when she turns 18, the possibility of having a child when she turns 16, and more.

Interviews revealed that James Barron would come to the girl’s residence on weekends and stay when the parents would run errands.

His brother also described them as cuddling not as an uncle and niece but as in a relationship, according to court documents.

A forensic interview through Healthy Families of Clallam County revealed that the relationship started with them playing a Truth or Dare couples game, which led to them first having sex in March, when she was 11.

Law enforcement also recorded a phone call between James Barron and his brother where he admitted to the sexual relationship.

Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Michele Devlin said at sentencing that Barron took the innocence of the victim and forever changed the trajectory of her life.

She said Barron also effectively blamed the victim when he said he didn’t force her to have sexual relations while he was the adult who knew his actions were wrong and illegal.

Barron apologized in court but not to the girl. Barnhart reminded him to do so, and told him he appreciated that he took responsibility for his actions, but noted Barron’s conduct was reprehensible.

“This case presents a tragic reminder of the perils that confront youth within our community,” Devlin said. “It also demonstrates how technology is being used by law enforcement and prosecutors to hold offenders accountable.”

She thanked the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Bureau in a press release for its investigation in the case.