Former WSU professor charged with rape pleads guilty to reduced charge

TRIBUNE

MOSCOW - A former Washington State University professor arrested last year on charges of felony rape has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge.

Andrew M. Appleton, 52, was accused last year of sexually assaulting a woman - starting when she was 16 - for more than a year in Moscow. He pleaded guilty in 2nd District Court Wednesday to felony injury to a child as part of a plea agreement.

Appleton is scheduled for sentencing at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 30. He faces up to 10 years in prison, a $50,000 fine, or both, Latah County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Michelle Evans said.

The woman, who is now 19, contacted police in September 2012, according to court documents, and told investigators Appleton had sexually assaulted her in several locations, including Moscow, Sandpoint, Idaho, California and Texas. The Latah County case only pertained to the instances alleged to have occurred in Moscow between February 2010 and September 2011.

Appleton was later arrested after police recorded phone calls between the victim and Appleton during which he did not deny having sex with the girl, according to court documents.

He was since been removed from his duties at WSU.

Appleton has been out of jail on bond since shortly after his arrest.