A Poulsbo man has been arrested after coming forward about a rape he allegedly committed nearly 20 years ago.

Mian Effler, 40, was arrested Aug. 11 after an acquaintance encouraged him to report to police about sexually assaulting and raping a 4-year-old relative at the Island Terrace apartments on Bainbridge Island from 2000-06.

Effler told Bainbridge Island police that he had done that up to 50 times at the apartments and that at the time he wanted to marry the girl instead of her mother.

After interviewing Effler, BIPD made contact with the girl, whose name in documents was redacted due to her age when the events reportedly occurred. She is now a married adult living in Bremerton.

The girl told BIPD that the events took place at least twice a week for years, sometimes even with her mother in the room. She advised that she was not able to tell anyone because Effler would threaten to not feed her, help her get dressed or help with school work.

The girl described it as grooming, stating that Effler had times when he was “nice” and would buy her toys, but if she didn’t do what he wanted would get mad.

BIPD charged Effler with first-degree rape of a child and arrested him with bail set to $350,000.