PORT ANGELES — A 24-year-old Port Angeles man has pleaded not guilty to first-degree child molestation involving an 8-year-old girl.
Joseph C. Jones issued his plea to the felony charge in Clallam County Superior on Tuesday. He awaits an Oct. 17 trial.
At Jones’ arraignment, Clallam County Superior Court Judge S. Brooke Taylor scheduled a pre-trial hearing for Sept. 16.
Port Angeles police said the girl’s mother reported the incident to Port Angles police Aug. 9.
Port Angeles Police Detective Ted Rife, a certified child interviewer, spoke with the 8-year-old Aug. 10.
Police obtained a search warrant and recovered bedding that the girl described from the residence where she said the crime occurred in the early morning hours of Aug. 7.
Jones agreed to take a computer voice stress analysis in an Aug. 11 interview with police.
Police said Jones eventually admitted he had groped the victim, according to the certification for probable cause.
In a bail hearing Aug. 12, Clallam County Superior Court Judge Ken Williams released Jones on his own recognizance with conditions.
Jones was ordered to stay away from the girl, the girl’s mother or any child younger than 16.
He was ordered to maintain a physical residence in Port Angeles and abide by an 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew.
Port Angeles police said in a statement Thursday that first-degree child molestation is when a person has sexual contact with someone who is younger than 12, is not married to the person and is at least 36 months older than the victim.
The Class A felony is punishable by a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $50,000 fine, according to state law.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
