Child molestation suspect pleads not guilty to new charges in Walla Walla
By Dan Thesman on Tuesday, November 10th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
WALLA WALLA — A Walla Walla man facing child molestation charges pleaded not guilty Tuesday to newly filed charges during a Walla Walla County Superior Court appearance after posting bail.
Jacob Romero, 34, appeared out of custody before Judge Brandon L. Johnson, who granted a motion by prosecutors to amend the charging information. The state added two new counts against Romero: tampering with a witness and obstructing a law enforcement officer.
Romero previously pleaded not guilty on Nov. 4 to three counts of first-degree child molestation of a family or household member and one count of first-degree child molestation. Through his defense attorney, Robin Olson, Romero entered not guilty pleas to the two new charges and signed an order agreeing to appear in person for future hearings now that he is no longer in jail.
Johnson vacated the previous Dec. 14 in-custody trial schedule and set Romero’s new trial for Jan. 25 at 9 a.m.
Walla Walla police arrested Romero on Oct. 26 following an investigation into allegations involving two 12-year-old girls known to him. According to police reports, both victims disclosed separate incidents of unlawful sexual abuse that occurred between 2019 and 2021, when the girls were between 5 and 7 years old. Authorities said the alleged incidents took place at a local hotel and an East Pine Street home.
