A Chehalis man faces five counts of first-degree child molestation, according to charging documents filed in Lewis County Superior Court on Aug. 21.
William E. Christin, 30, was arrested on a warrant and booked into the Lewis County Jail on Monday. Christin could spend up to life in prison, if convicted.
The Chronicle is limiting details of the investigation to protect the victims’ identities.
According to the probable cause affidavit filed by the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office, police began investigating Christin on June 23 after receiving a report that he’d inappropriately touched two children in Napavine.
The offenses are alleged to have occurred over a period of two years, from about September 2024 to June 2026.
According to the affidavit, both victims were forensically interviewed individually and medically evaluated.
Christin made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Tuesday.
Senior Deputy Prosecutor Bradley Meagher asked for a bail amount of $500,000 cash or bond, and requested that Christin be prohibited from contacting minors or frequenting locations where minors are known to congregate, as part of his release conditions.
Meagher also requested sexual assault protection orders on behalf of the two children in the case.
Defense attorney Rachael Tiller noted that bail was originally set at $250,000 in the arrest warrant, before asking for no more than $25,000, citing Christin’s lack of criminal history and financial situation. She said Christin understood protection orders were a standard practice.
“Again, I think that is quite significant, especially since he is not working at this time, but does receive financial assistance,” Tiller said.
Tiller asked for a “slight modification” to Christin’s release conditions to allow for contact with his grandmother — who was listed in the probable cause affidavit — so long as they did not discuss the case. Tiller said Christin lived with his grandmother, and said no children lived in the home.
According to the affidavit, Christin’s grandmother was also in the home where the alleged offenses occurred, though she was “out of the room” at the time.
Judge Joely Yeager set bail at $500,000 cash or bond, as requested by the state.
“This presents a significant risk to community safety, based on my reading of the allegations in the affidavit of probable cause,” Yeager said. “These all involve Class A felonies of a sexual nature with young children.”
Yeager granted the state’s request for the sexual assault protection orders on behalf of the reported victims, as well as the specification that Christin be prohibited from contacting minors or frequenting locations where minors are known to congregate.
The judge said she would not allow any contact between Christin and his grandmother.
Christin is scheduled for an arraignment on Thursday.
