Pullman man admits to communicating with minor for immoral purposes in exchange for misdemeanor charge

Alexander Palenzuela, 25, accepted a plea deal by admitting to communicating with a minor for immoral purposes, which downgraded his felony charge to a misdemeanor. In Whitman County Superior Court, Judge Roger Sandberg sentenced him to two years of probation and required him to register as a sex offender for ten years. The court imposed a no-contact order with the victim and prohibited unsupervised contact with minors. The Pullman Police Department acted on a report from a parent who discovered that Palenzuela had sent an explicit image through Facebook Messenger. Following his arrest, Palenzuela expressed remorse and took accountability for his actions, which influenced the court's acceptance of the plea deal.

Court documents revealed that he had no prior criminal history, indicating this was his first offense. The case highlights ongoing concerns surrounding online safety for minors and the legal consequences of such offenses. Local authorities emphasize the importance of reporting suspicious activities to protect children.