Olympia Man Charged in Lewis County Child Molestation Case

An Olympia man was charged in Lewis County with first-degree child molestation, after authorities said he sexually abused a minor between 2007 and 2010.

Douglas M. Karger-Hom, 25, appeared out of custody in Lewis County Superior Court Tuesday afternoon, where Judge Joely O’Rourke imposed $25,000 unsecured bail.

According to a probable cause affidavit, a Thurston County deputy first responded in the investigation, after the alleged victim disclosed the misconduct.

The multiple alleged incidents occurred in multiple locations, but primarily Centralia, according to court documents.

During Tuesday’s hearing, Karger-Hom’s attorney, Richard Woodrow, said that while Karger-Hom had been charged for the same incident in Kitsap County, the charge against him in that jurisdiction was likely going to be dismissed with Lewis County taking over the case.

Deputy Prosecutor Silvia Irimescu, who represented the state Tuesday afternoon, agreed that an unsecured bail was appropriate, given the Karger-Hom appeared to the hearing when summoned. She also said he has no criminal history.

Woodrow argued that Karger-Hom be released on his own personal recognizance, saying that was the same condition a Kitsap County judge imposed. O’Rourke said, given the seriousness of the allegations, some bail amount would be necessary. Although, she agreed to the condition that any bail be unsecured — meaning he will avoid custody throughout the case, as long as he show up to future hearings and abide by conditions of release.

One of those conditions was that he avoid areas where children congregate, however he was granted the exception of coming into contact with his own child and any incidental encounters with minors that might occur during his job.

Tuesday also involved an arraignment hearing, during which Karger-Hom pleaded not guilty to the offense. A jury trial was scheduled to begin Aug. 5, with a trial confirmation hearing on Aug. 1 and an omnibus hearing on June 6.