A 23-year-old North Bend man, found guilty in April on two counts of first-degree child molestation, was given an alternative sentence from the King County Superior Court.

Sentencing information for Lazarus Honeywell stated that he was eligible for the sexual offender sentencing alternative, or SSOSA, in part because of his youth and his support system.

“The SSOSA option is the sentence most likely to ensure public safety,” Judge Laura Inveen wrote. “The defendant is in need of treatment to ensure he does not recidivate (become a repeat offender). If he receives a prison sentence, he is not assured of receiving treatment.”

Judge Inveen noted that Honeywell had no prior criminal history and had cooperated throughout the court proceedings and during his jail time and electronic home detention.

“The defendant has a supportive community and family to ensure his accountability and to minimize any continuing negative impact on the victim and victim’s family,” she concluded.

Although the state recommended a 67-month prison sentence, that sentence is suspended as long as Honeywell meets all the requirements of the alternative and his community custody. These include undergoing treatment for sexual deviancy for five years, registering as a sex offender, and having no contact with the victim or any other minors.

According to court documents, Honeywell was arrested Thursday, May 9, 2013, and entered a plea of not guilty at his May 24 arraignment. The King County Prosecutor’s case summary accused him of having sexual contact with a 5-year-old child between July 7, 2010, and April 30, 2013.

A King County Sheriff’s detective’s report on probable cause for the investigation indicates that the child and a 3-year-old sibling had been attending daycare in the care of Honeywell’s mother, where the incidents reportedly took place.