Pullman man sentenced

Lane Hunting-Smith, 33, pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree child rape in Whitman County Superior Court. Prosecutors recommend a 20-year sentence, while the judge noted that the charges could lead to life imprisonment. The case began when a 9-year-old child reported multiple sexual assaults, leading to an investigation that found approximately 20 explicit videos on Hunting-Smith's phone. Initially, he denied the allegations but later confessed during his court appearance. His prior criminal record includes a domestic violence conviction from 2009 and a dismissed charge in 2017.

The severity of the charges and the evidence presented underscore the gravity of the situation. Hunting-Smith currently remains in Whitman County Jail on a $500,000 bond with no cash bail option. Sentencing is set for June 13, a critical date for the victim and the community.