Pullman psychologist arrested for rape charges

REBECCA WHITE, Evergreen assistant news editor

A Pullman therapist was booked on second degree rape charges after he surrendered himself to police late Friday night.

A patient reported that her therapist Dean Funabiki had sexually assaulted her last month during a therapy session in his office, according to a Pullman Police Department Press release. Police acquired a search warrant and collected DNA samples from Funabiki and the evidence was sent to the Washington State Patrol crime lab for analysis.

The Crime Lab positively matched DNA from the sexual assault examination kit the victim received when she reported the assault to evidence collected from Funabiki, according to the news release.

Rape in the second degree is a Class A felony and includes rape when the perpetrator is a health care provider and the victim is a patient and the assault occurred during treatment. It is punishable by life imprisonment and or a $50,000 fine.