Pullman man faces molestation charge

PULLMAN - A Washington State University Alumni Association employee was arrested Sunday on a charge of second-degree child molestation.

Judson W. Preece, 49, of Pullman, spent the night in the Whitman County Jail and had a bail hearing Monday in Whitman County Superior Court.

The probable cause report in the case has been sealed, but Preece is accused of molesting a 13-year-old girl. The alleged incident took place Friday; Pullman police learned of it Saturday and arrested him the next day.

Preece currently serves as senior associate director in charge of member services for the alumni association. WSU officials said the 1987 graduate was initially hired in September 2004.

A 2012 WSU news release also identified

Preece as chairman of the YMCA at WSU Board of Trustees. Executive Director Michelle Eaton and another YMCA board member did not immediately return phone calls Monday seeking confirmation of that, and the organization's website no longer lists its board chairman - although it does identify the other trustees. Cached Internet files, however, indicate Preece joined the board in 2005.

Whitman County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Bill Druffel requested $100,000 in bail, but

Preece's attorney, Steve Martonick of Pullman, argued for a lesser amount.

"He has family here, he has a job and no prior criminal history," Martonick said. "I see no reason for any bail, but if you do impose bail it should be low, in the neighborhood of $5,000."

Judge Douglas Robinson agreed to a bail of $25,000 and ordered Preece to stay at least 1,000 feet away from the alleged victim's home. Although the girl, who lives in Pullman, isn't a family member, Robinson also prohibited him from having any contact with his wife and children, saying they could be potential witnesses in the case.

Preece is scheduled to be arraigned at 10 a.m. Aug. 16.

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Spence may be contacted at bspence@lmtribune.com or (208) 791-9168.