Crime

Benton County deputies searching for sex offender with history of groping teen cheerleaders

Benton County Sheriff’s deputies are hunting for a sex offender with a history of groping cheerleaders outside of Richland schools.

Jeffrey Paul Gravelle, 48, didn’t register where he is living with the Benton County Sheriff’s Office for a second time in two years, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office said. He is a Level 2 offender, meaning he has a moderate risk of committing another sex crime.

He is 5-foot-10, 220 pounds and has red hair and blue eyes.

Jeffrey Gravelle
Jeffrey Gravelle

Gravelle was convicted of voyeurism and fourth-degree assault in 2012 after he groped three cheerleaders at two Hanford High School football games and loitered outside of the girls’ locker room during a basketball game.

As part of his sentence, he was required to tell police where he was living, and to stay away from schools, parks, libraries and public swimming pools.

He didn’t report to police in 2018, and was arrested. He pleaded guilty to failing to register and was sentenced to 30 days in jail in September 2018.

The sheriff’s office asked anyone with information to call Detective Mike Wilson at 509-783-1310.

This story was originally published January 4, 2020 at 12:15 PM.

CP
Cameron Probert
Tri-City Herald
Cameron Probert covers breaking news for the Tri-City Herald, where he tries to answer reader questions about why police officers and firefighters are in your neighborhood. He studied communications at Washington State University.https://mycheckout.tri-cityherald.com/subscribe?ofrgp_id=394&g2i_or_o=Event&g2i_or_p=Reporter&cid=news_cta_0.99-1mo-15.99-on-article_202404
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