Tri-City Spider-Man performer charged with raping preschooler

A Pasco man remains locked up on $50,000 bail on allegations he sexually assaulted a preschooler in a closet in 2014.

Alexander Pheng Siharath threatened to kill the girl and her family if she told anyone about the sexual assault, court documents allege.

The incident came to light in April after the girl told a relative she had been touched by a man named “Alex,” documents said.

Siharath, 40, has long worked as a performer at children’s parties in the Tri-Cities, often dressing in a Spider-Man costume.

Investigators said the victim in this case is not from one of those parties and has no connection to Siharath’s job.

He has pleaded innocent in Franklin County Superior Court to one count of first-degree child rape. Trial is set for July 6.

Pasco police Detective Jesse Romero said he was alerted after the girl was taken to the emergency room for a sexual assault evaluation.

In a follow-up interview, the girl talked about being in a Pasco apartment and Siharath taking her into a closet and touching her, court documents said.

She gave specific details about the alleged rape, then said Siharath got mad at her when she refused to cooperate.

The girl identified Siharath in a photo lineup, documents said.

This story was originally published May 16, 2016 at 4:38 PM with the headline "Tri-City Spider-Man performer charged with raping preschooler."