Bail is set at $500,000 for a Centralia man accused of raping a girl under the age of 14 in June.
The incident was reported in July.
According to the victim, she had seen the defendant, identified as Galen John Jorden, 49, in his yard with a dog and she asked to see the dog. Jorden reportedly told her she could see the dog after his girlfriend left, and once she had, the victim went to Jorden’s residence and petted the dog. While she was at the residence, Jorden allegedly “showed her around the house, then he provided her with a beer,” went with her to the store to get more beer, then raped her, according to court documents.
Officers with the Centralia Police Department contacted Jorden at his residence on Oct. 31. When questioned, Jordan reportedly “denied all of the allegations of rape and denied ever having sex with (the victim),” according to court documents.
Jorden allegedly called a Centralia detective the day after the interview, on Nov. 1, to say he wanted to talk to him again. Jorden then allegedly went to the police station to meet the detective, where he allegedly “admitted he had lied the day prior and that he did have sex with (the victim) but it was consensual,” according to court documents.
Jorden was arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail at approximately 3:34 p.m. on Nov. 1, according to jail records.
The Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office charged Jorden with one count of second-degree rape of a child on Nov. 2.
While the state asked for bail to be set at $200,000 and the defense asked for bail to be set no higher than $25,000, Judge Joely Yeager opted to set a higher bail amount due to concerns about Jorden’s warrant history and the “extremely concerning” nature of the allegations.
Yeager also said Jorden’s financial status and potential ability to post a higher bail amount was a reason why she set an amount higher than the state’s recommendation.
Arraignment is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 9.
Jorden’s release conditions include provisions prohibiting him from contacting any children or going anywhere children are known to congregate, such as schools or playgrounds.
