East Wenatchee man arrested in child sex assault investigation

WENATCHEE — A 40-year-old East Wenatchee man has been arrested following an investigation into allegations that he sexually assaulted two young girls.

According to the Chelan County Sheriff's Office, the alleged assaults were reported July 6. Detectives identified the suspect as Richardo Espinoza, 40, of East Wenatchee. Authorities said the two victims were between the ages of 6 and 8 at the time that the crimes were alleged to have taken place.

Espinoza cooperated with investigators and was taken into custody July 22. He was booked into the Chelan County Regional Justice Center on three counts of first-degree rape of a child, one count of attempted first-degree rape of a child and two counts of first-degree child molestation.

The sheriff's office said it will not release additional details about the investigation out of respect for the victims.

Investigators are asking anyone with information regarding Espinoza's conduct, or who believes they may have additional information relevant to the investigation, to submit a tip through the Chelan County Sheriff's Office at www.co.chelan.wa.us/sheriff/forms/submit-a-tip or call RiverCom at (509) 663-9911 to speak with an on-duty deputy.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media