A former Morton resident was charged with first-degree child molestation in Lewis County Superior Court earlier this month for allegedly sexually assaulting a child in 2018.
The Chronicle is choosing not to name the defendant in order to protect the identity of the victim, who was 10 years old when the incident allegedly occurred.
The defendant is currently 36.
Law enforcement began investigating the alleged sexual assault in October 2022 after a local sex offender treatment provider reported the alleged victim had disclosed information on the incident to her during a psychosexual evaluation, according to court documents.
The defendant, who now lives in Okanogan County, was formally charged with one count of first-degree child molestation on March 8, 2023. He was issued a summons notice for a March 28 hearing in Lewis County Superior Court, which he was present for. During that hearing, Judge J. Andrew Toynbee imposed $25,000 unsecured bail, meaning the defendant can remain out of custody without paying bail so long as he follows his conditions of release and is present for all mandatory court hearings.
While Toynbee granted the state’s request for a no-contact order protecting the victim, he declined the state’s request for an extra release condition that would have prevented the defendant from going anywhere minors are known to congregate.
The defendant’s arraignment hearing is scheduled for April 6.
