Suspect in April kidnapping, pursuit enters guilty plea

By Dan Thesman on Friday, January 10th, 2025 in Columbia Basin News Featured Stories More Top Stories

WALLA WALLA – A Walla Walla man arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and eluding law enforcement this past spring entered a guilty plea Thursday in Walla Walla County Superior Court to second-degree kidnapping, reckless driving, and two counts of violation of a protection order.

Stephan Lee Cleveland, 27, originally faced a total of 13 charges following the April 22, 2024, kidnapping which began in Burbank and involved a 3-year-old child, plus a pursuit that followed which ended near Umatilla. He was arrested April 26 in Walla Walla County after attempting to elude law enforcement.

According to Walla Walla Assistant City Attorney June Riley, who was appointed special prosecutor to this case, Cleveland will be sentenced in March. An exact date has not been set.