Jason Vukovich received a 23-year prison sentence for attacking three registered sex offenders in Anchorage, Alaska. The attacks happened over five days in June 2016.
Vukovich used Alaska’s public sex offender registry to find his targets. He broke into their homes, beat them, and stole their belongings. The victims were Charles Albee, Andres Barbosa, and Wesley Demarest, all convicted of crimes against children.
Vukovich slapped and robbed Albee. He punched Barbosa while accomplices stole from his home. He hit Demarest with a hammer, causing a brain injury that left the victim with permanent speech problems and unable to work.
During the attacks, Vukovich called himself an “avenging angel” for abused children. Vukovich had suffered physical and sexual abuse as a child.
At his 2018 sentencing, Vukovich expressed regret and said he should have gotten mental health help instead. His brother testified about their traumatic childhood and asked for mercy.
Judge Erin Marston rejected arguments about Vukovich’s PTSD. She said vigilante justice is unacceptable and noted the victims had served their sentences and were following the law.
Public reaction remains split. Some people call Vukovich a hero, with nearly 35,000 people signing a petition for his release. Others condemn his actions as dangerous vigilante justice.
Demarest said his life was “destroyed” and expressed relief about the prison sentence.
Vukovich was released on parole in April 2023. He now runs a YouTube channel encouraging abuse survivors to seek therapy instead of violence.
The case raises questions about public sex offender registries, which critics say can encourage vigilante attacks.
