BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Nurlan Levi Varner, age 21 and of Lynden, pled guilty to 2 3rd-degree rape charges in Whatcom County Superior Court in July of 2024. A 2nd-degree assault charge, harassment charge and third rape charge were dismissed. He was sentenced to 2 years in prison followed by 3 years in community custody for each of the 2 remaining 3rd-degree rape charges on September 3rd. He qualifies for credit for time already served while awaiting trial.
The charges were the result of 3 separate reported rapes between September of 2023 and April of 2024, including 1 reported while Varner was in custody awaiting trial on charges related to the 2 previous rape reports. Court documents state that, in all 3 reported incidents, he knew the victims and all repeatedly told him “No” during the assaults.
The sentences were deemed exceptional in court documents since the standard range, given he had no prior criminal history, was 12 to 14 months for each charge.
He is required to register as a sex offender once released from custody.
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