February 12, 2024

Ava White, News Reporter

A warning to readers, this story discuses sexual abuse of a child.

A Gambell village police officer was charged last month [Jan. 27] with two counts of sexually abusing a teenage girl.

Charging documents say troopers in Nome received a report that 24 year-old Leonard Apangalook had sexually abused a female minor while on duty. 

Troopers say the victim told them Apangalook was driving her to the courthouse and claimed she touched his genitals and performed oral sex. 

Troopers say Apangalook confirmed driving the minor to the courthouse, but he said the minor came on to him, grabbed his genitals, and briefly performed oral sex on him. Charges say he occupied a position of authority to the victim. 

He allegedly told troopers that sometimes, he makes really bad decisions.