59-year-old Evan P. Nicolai, a monk associated with the Russian Orthodox Church, turned himself into the Kodiak Police Department to report that he sexually abused an 8-year-old child. He turned himself in on October 2nd. Nicolai arrived accompanied by the abused child’s parent and a priest of the Kodiak Russian Orthodox Church. As a monk, Nicolai was permitted to stay at the housing provided by the church.
Police learned that Nicolai had stayed in Alaska at several Russian Orthodox locations, including Anchorage, Bethel, Eklutna, Homer, and Kaktovik, as well as a monastery about an hour outside of Phoenix, Arizona.
Nicolai was charged by Kodiak Police with second degree sexual abuse of a minor, and the case is being prosecuted by the Kodiak District Attorney’s Office. If convicted at trial, Nicolai faces up to 99 years of imprisonment.
Nicolai remains in jail with court ordered bonds totaling $50,000 in cash that must be posted prior to his release. His next scheduled court date is for a preliminary hearing on October 13, 2021 at 2:30 p.m. in Kodiak District Court.
If the public has information about this case, about other potential victims, or has knowledge that may aid in this investigation, please contact Kodiak Det. Sgt. Kathleen Gambling at kgambling@city.kodiak.ak.us or (907) 486-8000.