A former Centralia resident is accused of raping a woman he was friends with since high school.
Benjamin L. Wilmot, 45, made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday, over 14 months after an arrest warrant was first issued on Jan. 6, 2025.
Wilmot faces one count of second-degree rape, a Class A felony punishable by up to life in prison.
During the hearing, a court commissioner set bail at $150,000 cash or bond, less than the $250,000 set in the warrant.
Wilmot is scheduled to appear for an arraignment on Thursday, March 26. Prosecutors said they intend to enter a sexual assault protection order on behalf of the victim at that time.
Wilmot, who reportedly lives out of state, was ordered by the court not to leave Western Washington, should he post bail. The commissioner said that Wilmot and his attorney could file a motion at a later date to address the matter.
Public defender Albert Didcock has been assigned to represent Wilmot for future proceedings.
The probable cause affidavit filed by prosecutors in January 2025 states that Centralia police first spoke with the alleged victim on Sept. 9, 2024, after she reported being raped by Wilmot at her home approximately two years earlier.
According to the affidavit, Wilmot and his children had been staying on the victim’s property after Wilmot had separated with his wife.
The victim reportedly told police she and Wilmot had never had a romantic relationship, but said she had known Wilmot since high school.
According to the affidavit, the alleged rape took place the night of Dec. 29, 2022, after the victim had taken prescription Ambien and other medication to, in the victim’s words, manage sleep and pain following a medical procedure.
After the incident, the victim reportedly removed the defendant from her property and spoke with their church bishop.
Police were unable to contact Wilmot during the initial investigation, and noted that they believed he was living in Utah with a new spouse.
Based on the totality of the investigation, which reportedly includes text conversations after the alleged incident, prosecutors determined there was sufficient probable cause to charge Wilmot.
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This article has been updated to reflect additional information provided to The Chronicle after initial publication.
