Whitman County Gazette - Serving Whitman County since 1877

COLFAX – An Elk man has pleaded guilty in several decades old rape cases.

Kenneth Downing, pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree rape and one coun of second-degree assault with sexual motivation.

Downing will spend 213-283 months (17-23.5 years) to life in prison, in a plea deal supported by the victims. 

A sentencing hearing is set for Aug. 19 beforeWhitman County Superior Court Judge Gary Libey.

The sex crimes date back 19 years to 2003, records show. The case began in 2003 when a woman reported she was raped at gunpoint in her home to Pullman police, records show.

In March of...