Edward Bakken - Repeat Sex Offender - Guilty

A convicted sex offender has pleaded guilty to attempting to sexually assault a 22-year-old woman who was attacked while riding a bike in Flagstaff.

Edward Bakken, 49, is expected to serve 23 years in prison after agreeing to a plea deal this week.

Flagstaff police say the victim told officers she was riding her bicycle near a park when she passed a man and said “good morning” to him. That’s when the man knocked her off the bicycle.

The woman landed in cactus but hit and scratched Bakken as he punched her and stabbed her in the neck with a short, blunt stick.

Bakken eventually gave up and took off on the woman’s bicycle.

She ran to get help, and officers arrested Bakken a couple miles from the scene.

"25% of all sex offenders re-offend within 15 years"

.........Sarah Tofte