Superior Court Judge Arrested On Rape, Assault Charges: WSP

OLYMPIA, WA - Asotin County Superior Court Judge Scott D. Gallina was arrested Wednesday by Washington State Patrol on criminal sexual misconduct charges. The judge is facing charges of second-degree felony rape, second-degree assault, and indecent liberties, according to Attorney General Bob Ferguson.

Few details were available about the case because Gallina had not yet been formally charged. Ferguson said he would likely make a charging decision on Thursday.

Washington State Patrol began interviewing potential victims on Monday, according to the Walla Wall Union-Bulletin. Gallina, 55, was appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee in 2014, and also serves as a superior court judge in Columbia and Garfield counties.

State patrol encouraged any other potential victims to contact police.

"We encourage anyone with information about this case to come forward. Victims of sexual abuse are often afraid to tell anyone, especially when the accused abuser has a position of power. Victims can sometimes think they themselves did something wrong, or they may get in trouble or be embarrassed by revealing what has happened to them," WSP Lt. Randy Hullinger said in a statement Wednesday.

Asotin County is in the far southeast corner of the state at the Idaho-Oregon border.