PORT ANGELES — A 59-year-old man charged with the child rape of a relative is being investigated after another relative said he also sexually abused her, authorities said.
Steven Guy Welty of Dungeness was charged in Clallam County Superior Court on Friday with six counts of first-degree child rape, six counts of first-degree child molestation and six counts of first-degree incest.
He remained in jail Saturday on $250,000 bail, and is scheduled to be arraigned at 9 a.m. Friday.
Welty allegedly had sexual intercourse with a relative, who is now a teenager, when she was younger than 10 years old, according to court documents and the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office.
Detective Sgt. Lyman Moores said another relative has said he sexually abused her, and that the Sheriff’s Office is investigating the claim. No charges have been filed.
Moores said Welty — who told authorities he is the former pastor of the Glory House Church in Sequim, which closed about two years ago — moved to the Sequim area 14 years ago from Grays Harbor County.
He reportedly founded the Sequim Community Help Center in 2001.
Harry Gasnick, Clallam Public Defender’s Office director, said in court Friday that Welty is currently involved in “ministerial services.”
He said later that he didn’t know what religious organization he is working with or where it is located.
Moores said anyone with information can phone Detective John Hollis at 360-417-2300.
________
Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Jeff Chew contributed to this report.
Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
