Man sentenced to 1 year in Walla Walla County Jail for child rape
By Dan Thesman on Thursday, January 15th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – Steven Rene Flores Palomo, 20, was sentenced Wednesday in Walla Walla County Superior Court to one year in county jail for third-degree rape of a 13-year-old child. The sentence was the result of a plea agreement for a “lean” exceptional sentence, falling just one day below the standard 12-to-14-month range.
Judge Patricia Fulton, in delivering the sentence, cited Palomo’s age and specific implications of Washington state law. In Washington, sentences over one year must be served in state Department of Corrections (DOC) facilities, while shorter sentences are served in local jails.
Defense Attorney Ashely Kulberg argued that a state prison sentence would be “profoundly damaging” to Palomo’s mental health, as current protocols would likely require him to be held in isolation or protective custody due to his age.
Walla Walla County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Melanie Dane noted that while the state was prepared for trial, difficulties communicating with the victim’s family influenced the decision to accept the plea. Palomo, who was 19 at the time of the March 2024 offense, which happened in Walla Walla, and had no prior felony record, expressed remorse during the hearing.
“I know that I made a mistake, and if I could take it back, obviously I would,” Palomo told the court. “I just feel sorry for the victims involved, the people, even the mother – everyone that got hurt.”
Beyond his jail time, Palomo must register as a sex offender and serve 36 months of community custody. He is also subject to a five-year no-contact order and is prohibited from contacting any unrelated female minors.
