Man, 68, charged with molesting teen

By JESSIE STENSLAND
Whidbey News Times Assistant editor
January 20, 2009 · 4:05 PM

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A 68-year-old Oak Harbor man is accused of molesting a teenaged girl, according to court documents.

Prosecutors charged Melvin Ross in Island County Superior Court Dec. 24 with child molestation in the second degree. He pleaded not guilty Jan. 5.

Detective Laura Price with the Island County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case after Child Protective Services reported the alleged sexual assault of the 14-year-old girl.

The girl said Ross inappropriately touched her on three occasions, the report states. The girl told a friend what allegedly happened and the story eventually got to the girl’s mother through a church pastor.

Ross, on the other hand, denied molesting the girl.

If convicted of the charge, Ross could face 15 to 20 months in prison under the standard sentencing range.

Contact Whidbey News Times Assistant editor Jessie Stensland at jstensland@whidbeynewsgroup.com or 360.675.6611 ext. 5056.

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