A 27-year-old Chehalis man has been accused of raping a child on multiple occasions, according to information filed by the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday, Dec. 2.
Diante Xavier Spears was charged with three counts of first-degree rape of a child and one count of first-degree child molestation, all considered Class A felonies punishable by up to life in prison and $50,000 in fines, if Spears is convicted.
The charging information lists two aggravating factors for each count, which, in summation, allege the sexual abuse was part of “an ongoing pattern” perpetrated against the same victim over a “prolonged period of time” by someone who used his “position of trust, confidence or fiduciary responsibility to facilitate the commission of the current offense.”
Spears made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court Tuesday afternoon to learn the conditions of his release.
Judge Joely Yeager set Spears’ bail at $500,000 cash or bond, in agreement with the state’s request.
Before making her ruling, Yeager addressed Spears’ lack of criminal history, saying, “It’s very rare these types of defendants have any criminal history.”
The judge cited the “extreme risk” to community safety — which included all children in the community — as a primary reason for the large bail amount.
Along with bail, Yeager entered an order probiting firearms and a sexual assault no-contact order on behalf of the alleged victim. The judge also prohibited Spears from contacting any minors while the case was pending — including at Spears’ place of employment.
According to defense attorney Rachael Tiller, Spears works in the fast-food industry.
No contact includes such communication as letters, emails, phone calls, and text messages, and prohibits the defendant from going anywhere minors are known to congregate.
According to the probable cause affidavit filed by the prosecutor’s office, the victim — who is less than 12 years old — participated in a forensic interview at the Youth Advocacy Center on Nov. 18, about a week after law enforcement began investigating the allegations.
The Chronicle is limiting the details of the investigation to protect the identity of the victim.
Spears was arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail on Monday, Dec. 1, at about 5 p.m.
He was scheduled to appear for an arraignment on Thursday, Dec. 4, with Albert Didcock assigned as his public defender.
