Colfax man denies child molestation allegations

Elijah Smith, a 19-year-old man from Colfax, pleaded not guilty to first-degree child molestation charges in Whitman County Superior Court on Friday. The allegations involve an incident with a young child that reportedly took place in Garfield earlier this month. Following a report of the offense, Whitman County Sheriff's deputies arrested Smith, who maintains that he was falsely accused. During a preliminary court appearance, Senior Deputy Prosecutor Tessa Scholl noted Smith's lack of a prior criminal record. Judge Roger Sandberg set Smith's bail at $100,000, allowing him to post bail and be released from custody.

The court also issued a protection order for the alleged victim, forbidding Smith from contacting potential witnesses or anyone under 18. Smith's scheduled jury trial on the charges is set for September 15. If convicted, he faces the possibility of life imprisonment for this serious felony.