Kennewick man charged with rape, assault in Burbank case

By Dan Thesman on Wednesday, February 4th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories

BURBANK — A Kennewick man is facing felony charges following a reported sexual assault in Burbank last month.

Kirby Rivera Manuel, 45, was arrested last Friday, and charged with second-degree rape and second-degree assault by strangulation or suffocation.

According to a statement of probable cause filed in Walla Walla County Superior Court, the investigation began on Jan. 24 after a 39-year-old woman reported being assaulted at her home. The victim told investigators she allowed Manuel, a friend of her late husband, to stay over so he could sober up before driving home. The alleged incident occurred while they were watching television.

Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Deputy Federico Diaz interviewed Manuel last Friday at a Burbank fire station. Manuel reportedly did not deny the sexual acts but maintained they were consensual. He provided DNA samples to investigators before being taken into custody.

Because no county deputies were available to assist with the arrest, officers from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife provided backup and transported Manuel to the Walla Walla County jail.

Manuel is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow (Thursday) at 9 a.m. in Walla Walla County Superior Court.