Two guilty pleas to alleged sex offenses

The Whitman County Prosecution Office is unable to comment on matters not publicly available

BRANDON WILLMAN, Multimedia editor

Trigger warning: This article contains details about sexual assault that may be triggering for some readers.

Two separate cases involving sexual crimes including minors have resulted in guilty pleas.

The first case involves 19-year-old Kaleb Gibler, a Palouse man accused of child molestation, pleading guilty as charged, according to Pullman Radio.

He was arrested Aug. 25 by the City of Palouse Police Department after he molested a 13-year-old girl, according to Daily News. 

Prior to his plea, his bail was set for $100,000 or $10,000 cash, according to Whitman County Jail.

On Oct. 28, he pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree felony child molestation, according to Pullman Radio.

Prior to this charge, Gibler had no criminal history, resulting in both the prosecution and defense recommending a sex offender sentencing alternative. Gibler’s sentencing is set for Dec.  9, according to Pullman Radio.

The second case involves 61-year-old Douglas Martin, who had four separate alleged offenses.

The four offenses were: dealing in depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct in the second degree, six counts of rape of a child, two counts of second-degree child molestation, and two counts of first-degree child molestation, according to Whitman County Jail.

Originally, his bond was set for $250,000 or $25,000 cash, according to Whitman County Jail.

Martin was originally arrested in May when the victim told police about his sexual assault, and he was arrested on charges of child rape and molestation. Now, he is charged with 11 felonies according to court documents.

Martin also allegedly photographed the abuse, according to Big County News. 

On Oct. 28, he was sentenced to the maximum life in prison and is ordered to pay the victim $3,000 in restitution. He will be eligible for parole in 13 years, according to Pullman Radio. 

The assault lasted over 10 years and began when the victim was 5-years-old, according to Pullman Radio.

The Whitman County Prosecution Office is unable to comment on matters not publicly available.