Spokane, Washington — This morning, 77-year-old Merlyn R. Schmelzer plead guilty to one count of Child Rape 1st Degree in Spokane County Superior Court with Superior Court Judge Tony Hazel presiding. Schmelzer is being held in the Spokane County Jail and faces a standard minimum sentencing range of 93-123 months and up to life in prison.
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The sexual abuse involved a young female victim, known to Schmelzer, and reportedly began in 2011. The sexual abuse continued over several years, occurring in three counties in Washington State.
The investigation began in the later months of 2016 when the victim reported the crime and involved several law enforcement agencies.
In July of 2018, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Sexual Assault Unit (SAU) Detective Brandon Armstrong and Detective Rob Satake contacted Schmelzer and conducted an interview where Schmelzer admitted to sexually abusing the victim. Schmelzer was arrested and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Rape of a Child 1st Degree.
