A 36-year-old Oak Harbor man may face up to 19 years in prison for sexually assaulting a woman while armed with a gun.

Last week, a jury in Island County Superior Court found Robert C. Boese guilty of rape in the first degree, kidnapping in the first degree, assault in the second degree and interfering with the reporting of domestic violence. The jurors also returned a special verdict finding that the crimes were domestic-violence related.

The Department of Corrections will complete a pre-sentence investigation, which is required before sentencing in crimes of sexual violence. The report will look at the crime, the victim’s concerns, Boese’s history and other factors to come up with a sentencing recommendation. The sentencing hearing is set for May 13.

Boese’s defense attorney tried to withdraw the week prior to trial because he was not able to effectively communicate or even have a civil conversation with his client. The judge refused, however, because he felt there wasn’t enough time for a new attorney to prepare for a trial; Boese declined to waive his constitutional right to a speedy trial, which meant it couldn’t be delayed.

Prior to trial, Boese was recorded in a jail call saying he didn’t remember what happened on the day of the assault because he was on drugs, according to court records. In later calls he was recorded saying the sex was consensual.

Boese testified in his own defense at trial.

The jury believed the victim, who said Boese entered her bathroom armed with a gun, raped her, blocked her from leaving, pointed the firearm at her and threw her phone so she couldn’t call for help.