Pullman sergeant jailed for custodial sex act

Pullman Police Sgt. Dan Hargraves, a 19-year veteran of the department, was arrested Tuesday morning by the Washington State Patrol and booked into jail here at 6:30 a.m. on a probable charge of custodial sexual misconduct.

An arrest warrant was issued for his arrest late Monday, and a formal charge of custodial sexual misconduct was filed Tuesday morning in superior court by Prosecutor Denis Tracy.

The WSP arrest report filed in court alleges Hargraves, 48, had oral sex with a WSU freshman in Reaney Park after she was ordered into a patrol car early March 31.

The report said Hargraves, who is listed in court records with a first name of Jerry, observed the girl stumbling along Cougar Way at 11:46 p.m. March 30. The freshman reportedly had been drinking along Greek Row. Hargraves transported her to the Duncan Dunn dormitory complex and told her to stay inside.

The girl was spotted outside the dorm at 12:20 a.m. March 31 by WSU Officer Matt Kuhrt, who ordered her back into the dorm and told her she would be cited for being a minor in possession and exhibiting the effects of alcohol consumption. The report said after monitoring of Kuhrt’s encounter with the girl, Hargraves informed Kuhrt of his prior contact.

The alleged victim’s cell phone indicated she left the dorm again at 12:47 a.m. March 31 and was at Reaney Park at 12:53. She told investigators officer Hargraves ordered her into his patrol car, stated she disobeyed his earlier order to stay in her room and told her he was taking her to the police station. The girl told officer Hargraves she “would do anything” to avoid being taken into custody.

The report said the alleged victim filed a report with the WSU Equal Opportunity Office April 5.

Subsequent WSP investigation included collection of clothing the victim was wearing that night, discovery of DNA evidence on a sleeve by the crime laboratory and then finding a match of the DNA with a sample taken from Hargraves, the report said.

Officer Kuhrt was absolved of any wrong doing, the report said.

Pullman Chief Gary Jenkins said an internal, administrative investigation will be conducted by the department. He noted under standard procedure of the department, an internal investigation is conducted only after a criminal investigation has been concluded.

Hargraves has been a sergeant with the Pullman Police Department for the past 14 years. He has been on paid administrative leave or assigned to desk duty since the initial report, the chief reported.