A Chehalis man faces allegations of child molestation and sexual assault after police arrested him last week on multiple felony charges.
Scott A. Marcus, 44, is charged with one count of second-degree rape of a child, a Class A felony punishable by up to life in prison. He faces two counts of second-degree child molestation, Class B felonies each punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
The Chronicle is limiting details of the investigation to protect the victim’s identity.
Marcus made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday.
During the hearing, Lewis County Prosecuting Attorney Jonathan Meyer requested a bail of $500,000, along with a sexual assault no-contact order on behalf of the victim. According to Meyer, Marcus’ bail had previously been set at $250,000 over the weekend.
Meyer said the allegations were not part of an isolated situation, but rather a prolonged one.
Defense attorney Rachael Tiller said Marcus was unable to post at either $500,000 or $250,000, and said he had just lost his job. She noted that the issuance of a protection order was a “standard practice” that should allay safety concerns.
Tiller said Marcus has no criminal history.
Judge Joely Yeager, considering both Marcus’ lack of income and his potential risk to community safety, set bail at $500,000, in agreement with the state’s request.
“I think it’s appropriate in order to keep the community safe,” Yeager said.
As part of his release conditions, Marcus must surrender any weapons within his possession.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Chehalis police began investigating Marcus on July 13 after the Lynden Police Department informed them of three alleged sexual assaults committed by Marcus. The assaults had allegedly occurred in Chehalis around June 2025.
Chehalis police interviewed Marcus on July 17. He reportedly denied the allegations. Marcus was booked into the Lewis County Jail at about 8:45 p.m. that evening.
He is scheduled for an arraignment on July 23.
