Jeffrey A. Bedsole, Jr., 32, of Centralia, appears in Lewis County Superior Court Monday. He faces two counts of first-degree child molestation.
A Lewis County Superior Court Judge set bail for a Centralia man facing two counts of first-degree child molestation at twice the price requested by prosecutors Monday.
Bail for Jeffrey A. Bedsole Jr., 32, who is accused of sexually touching an 11-year-old girl known to him, was set at $50,000.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Brad Meagher requested bail to be set at $25,000 at the preliminary hearing.
Meagher said Bedsole has been cooperative with authorities, but he has a record that includes protection order violations, assault charges and interfering with reporting domestic violence. He didn’t consider Bedsole a flight risk, but had concerns he wouldn’t follow the court’s order.
Defense attorney Joely O’Rourke requested bail to be set at $10,000.
However, Judge James Lawler didn’t think those requests were high enough.
“I am concerned,” Lawler said. “I’m concerned about the community’s safety. I’m concerned about a number of these things.”
If released, Bedsole cannot have contact with the victim or family.
Arraignment and trial setting for Bedsole is scheduled for Thursday.
The Lewis County Jail online roster shows a charge of first-degree child rape was dismissed.
Bedsole allegedly molested the girl multiple times between January 2013 and February of this year.
The maximum penalty for first-degree child molestation is life imprisonment and a $50,000 fine.
