NorthwestJanuary 1, 2004

Former area TV news reporter faces lewd conduct charge

SEATTLE -- A former area television news reporter was arrested in King County, Wash., Tuesday night on a Latah County charge of lewd conduct with a child under the age of 16, a felony.

Eric R. Cannavaro, 36, of Seattle made his first appearance in King County court Wednesday, according to Latah County Prosecutor William W. Thompson Jr.

Cannavaro must first undergo court proceedings to move him from Washington to Idaho before he has his initial appearance in Latah County, said Thompson.

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Cannavaro is accused of improperly touching a Genesee boy between 1998 and 2002. The boy was 9 to 10 years old when the alleged conduct happened, according to court documents.

After a 1 1/2-hour interrogation by a Seattle city police officer at the request of the Latah County Sheriff's Office, Cannavaro admitted to touching the boy while he thought the boy was sleeping, according an affidavit by Latah sheriff's Cpl. Tim L. Besst.

Cannavaro is a former reporter for KLEW-TV news in Lewiston and KXLY-TV news in Spokane. In January 2003, he was hired as a reporter by KIRO-TV news in Seattle. Cannavaro is known in the region as a member of the music band Wilson-Cannavaro, which has played the national anthem at Seattle Mariners, Seahawks and Supersonics games.

Cannavaro posted a $5,000 bond and was released Wednesday night, according to King County Jail officials.

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