Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Faces charge of child molestation
CRESTON — The Superior Court hearing for Mathew S. Chafin, 35, was postponed Tuesday, December 31, after the prosecution and defense agreed that insufficient notice had been given for the proceeding.
A new hearing date has not been set.
Chafin, who was arrested on December 12, 2020, is facing a charge of Child Molestation in the first degree.
The hearing was intended to address a motion and affidavit for an order determining the existence of probable cause, directing the issuance of a warrant, and fixing bail.
The prosecution moved to set bail at $50,000, with the option of surety or cash.
Chafin allegedly molested his stepdaughter.
According to reports, on October 28, 2020, a deputy was dispatched to Creston School District to meet with Principal Armand, who stated that a concerned mother came forward and reported some abuse that had been occurring at home.
Court documents show that on December 17, 2020, the child and her mother went to the Partners with Families and Children office in Spokane for forensic review with a Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputy.
According to court documents, Chafin reportedly admitted to the charges, stating that “it was all true.”
He also told authorities he had been “having a bad day” during a second instance of alleged misconduct.
Chafin attributed his behavior to personal struggles, including unemployment, living arrangements, and substance use.
He reportedly consumed four shots of vodka, two beers and smoked five to six bowls of marijuana on the day in question.
Chafin requested psychological help and counseling following his arrest.
Lucas B. Mallon, the arresting officer, took Chafin into custody, and his first court appearance occurred on December 15, 2020.
Olivia Harnack is the award-winning managing editor/photographer/videographer/columnist at the Lincoln County Record-Times, with offices in both Davenport and Odessa, Wash. She is a University of Idaho graduate and a U.S. Army National Guardsman.
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