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KENNEWICK -- A Richland man has been sentenced to nine years in prison for sexually assaulting a young girl repeatedly over a decade.
Charles Andrew Wellington, 40, earlier pleaded guilty in Benton County Superior Court to one count of first-degree rape of a child.
As a part of the plea deal, prosecutors agreed to drop a second child rape count and aggravating circumstances as long as Wellington didn't request a shorter prison term under the Special Sex Offenders Sentencing Alternative.
The recommended sentence was seven years and nine months in prison.
But after apologizing to the court Wednesday for his actions, Wellington reportedly asked for the special sentence that focuses on long-term sex offender treatment.
Judge Cameron Mitchell opted to go above the recommendation and give the nine years, but that is the mandatory minimum term on what could end up being a life sentence.
How much time Wellington serves above the minimum term will depend on his rehabilitation while behind bars. The state's Indeterminate Sentence Review Board will decide his release date based on his treatment in prison.
Court documents state that the sexual assaults occurred between Jan. 1, 1998, and May 25, 2008.
Wellington reportedly told the girl she'd get in trouble if she told anyone.
It was only once the girl was in her teen years that she "demanded that the abuse stop," documents said.
Wellington was ordered to have no contact with the girl for the rest of his life.
Woman denies helping steal $700 in clothes from Macy's
KENNEWICK -- A College Place woman pleaded innocent to allegations she helped take $700 in clothing from Macy's.
Lucia Victoria Rodriguez, 22, faces trial Feb. 1 for second-degree theft. She pleaded innocent.
Prosecutors allege that on Oct. 12, 2008, Rodriguez and two friends left the Kennewick department store without paying for any of their goods.
One of the accomplices allegedly assaulted a loss prevention officer who was trying to detain the group. The third suspect fled.
Court documents state that Rodriguez gave a false name for the detained accomplice, and claimed she didn't know the other person. However, that person's identification was later found in Rodriguez's purse, documents said.
Trial postponed for Kennewick man accused of hitting bicyclist
KENNEWICK -- The trial for a Kennewick man accused of driving under the influence of a stimulant when his car crashed into a bicyclist has been moved to Jan. 19.
Troy Hamilton Trusley, 32, is charged with vehicular assault.
His attorney, Shelley Ajax, told the court that her defense expert is currently preparing a report on the case. Ajax said she will pass the report on to Deputy Prosecutor Terry Bloor once it's in.
"I'm hoping that may help resolve this case" before trial, she said.
Trusley was driving through Columbia Park near Edison Street on May 9 when his Pontiac struck Cindy Easterday Goulet from behind, causing her to hit his windshield and be thrown over the car, according to police and court documents.
Goulet, 41, of West Richland, was wearing a helmet in the crash. She was treated at Kennewick General Hospital for two broken ribs and other injuries.
Goulet was participating in a charity bike ride.
Trusley at the scene reportedly showed no signs of alcohol consumption, but he lost his balance and failed to follow instructions during a series of field sobriety tests, documents said.
He denied taking any drugs.
-- Kristin M. Kraemer: 509-582-1531; kkraemer@tricityherald.com
