Islander and local artist Gabriel Mondragon has been charged with propositioning a minor following an incident outside the Vashon Theater last August.
According to court documents, on August 26, 2009, Mondragon, 28, approached and began talking with a group of three 13-year-old girls who were standing outside the theater. He knew one girl from working at Westside Stables.
One girl excused herself from the conversation because she was “creeped out” by the man. Mondragon told the remaining two that he had seen them at Strawberry Festival and said “You’re hot,” and “You have nice a nice ass.”
As all three walked away from Mondragon, he called to one of them, asking her to perform oral sex on him. The girls then went into Movie Magic and waited for him to leave the area.
One of the girls’ mothers told King County Sheriff’s Detective Michael Gordon that this was not an isolated incident. She said several girls who attend McMurray Middle school have experienced or witnessed similar interactions with Mondragon.
The mother of another girl involved in the incident told Gordon that Mondragon has been known to paint pictures of dead, naked girls.
Gordon noted in his affidavit that while such art is not a crime, the information raised concerns.
Mondragon drew local news coverage in 2008 when, to protest the death of an orca and the depletion of rainforests, he attempted to sever the main power line to Orcas Island with a power saw. Mondragon was electrocuted by the high-voltage line and lost part of his arm, where he now wears a hook.
Mondragon has been ordered to not have contact with minors.
If convicted of the gross misdemeanor of communication with a minor for immoral purposes, Mondragon could face up to a year in jail.
His arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 18.