The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Arraignments:

-Benjamin Glen Smith, 33, Dayton; charged with rape of a child in the third degree, second degree child molestation, and third degree child molestation. Smith, a Washington State Penitentiary corrections officer, was arrested outside his home on Jan. 23. Court documents allege that Smith had ongoing sexual relations with a child between 14 and 15 years old and had sexual contact with that same child and another child between the ages of 12 and 13. Smith is being held in Benton Franklin County Jail on $100,000 bond. He entered a plea of not guilty to all counts. Trial setting is scheduled for Feb. 15.

-Thomas Bray, 30, Dayton; charged with failure to register as a sex offender. Court documents allege that Bray moved from his last address in Dayton in August, lived homeless between Dayton and Clarkston, and failed to register with Columbia County following his last move. Bray has been convicted of assault in the third degree with sexual motivation and has two convictions for failing to register as a sex offender in Stevens County. Bray was released on a $10,000 unsecured appearance bond, with conditions. He entered a plea of not guilty. Omnibus and trial setting is scheduled for Feb. 15.

-Michael J. Testerman, 19, Dayton. Charged with one count of harassment – domestic violence and one count malicious mischief, third degree – domestic violence. Testerman is in custody and bond was left at $7,500. He pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Plea Agreements:

- Richard A. Brelo, 59, transient; charged with assault in the third degree and assault in the third degree. Brelo pleaded to amended charges of criminal mischief and unlawful handling of a weapon in a plea agreement. He was sentenced to five months for each charge, with credit for time served.

Miscellaneous:

-Brandon Wayne John, 33, Dayton; charged with two counts of escape in the first degree. A Feb. 14 trial date was struck and he waived his right to a speedy trial. Pretrial hearing is set for March 15 with a trial set for March 23.