BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Three convicted child rapists from Whatcom County were recently sentenced in separate cases.

55-year-old Jonathon Sortino of Ferndale pleaded guilty to three counts of child sex abuse and distributing explicit media involving children in October. In 2021, a child known to Sortino reported being sexually abused over the course of several years. He’ll spend over 23 years in prison, to be followed by a lifetime of community custody.

Court documents state that 22-year-old David Bootsma will also face lengthy prison time for separate rape cases involving a child and an adult. Bootsma was sentenced to a total of 17 years in jail and will also be in community custody following his release.

Another Lynden man, 23-year-old Ismael Francisco, pleaded guilty last month to three charges including child molestation and assault. The two juvenile victims stole his vehicle following the assaults and were pulled over, leading to Francisco’s eventual arrest. He was sentenced to just over 2 years in prison and three years of community custody.

Sortino was transferred to Dept. of Corrections custody on Dec. 17. Bootsma and Francisco were sent to state prison on Dec. 23.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic/sexual violence, call 800-656-HOPE (4673) to reach the National Sexual Assault Hotline.