Pullman police sergeant pleads not guilty to charge

COLFAX — A Pullman police sergeant pleaded not guilty to one felony count of custodial sexual misconduct during a brief appearance Friday in Whitman County Superior Court.

Sgt. Dan Hargraves, a 19-year veteran of the department, said nothing other than “not guilty” during his arraignment.

Judge Gary Libey set a trial date of Jan. 14 for the case, which stems from an alleged sexual assault of a Washington State University freshman last spring.

Hargraves was arrested two weeks ago, following a six-month investigation by the Washington State Patrol. The independent investigation was launched after the woman reported the incident in April.

The woman, who is identified in court documents only by the initials “L.G.,” reported that Hargraves picked her up in his patrol car after she had been out drinking, and after he had previously told her to go home for the evening.

When she asked what she could do to avoid an arrest, he allegedly drove to a quiet area and had her perform oral sex before releasing her. Semen stains on her clothes allegedly matched a DNA sample taken from Hargraves.

Washington law says that a person is guilty of custodial sexual misconduct if the victim “is being detained, under arrest, or in the custody of a law enforcement officer, and the perpetrator is a law enforcement officer.” The statute goes on to say that the “consent of the victim is not a defense.”

The crime is a class C felony subject to a maximum of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. However, during an earlier court hearing, county officials noted that the standard sentencing range is six to 12 months.

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