Walla Walla man, 73, pleads guilty to first-degree child rape
By Dan Thesman on Friday, May 29th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
WALLA WALLA — A 73-year-old Walla Walla man pleaded guilty Thursday in Walla Walla County Superior Court to a first-degree child rape charge. Court records show that Weston and the victim are related.
Larry Wayne Weston entered a straight guilty plea to the single count as part of a plea agreement. The charge carries a standard sentencing range of 93 to 123 months in prison, followed by 36 months of community custody. The maximum penalty is life in prison and a $50,000 fine.
The charge stems from an investigation initiated in February 2025, when the victim reported to the Walla Walla Police Department that Weston had repeatedly raped and molested them over an 11-year period, beginning when the victim was 5 years old.
During the hearing before Judge Brandon L. Johnson, defense attorney Julie Karl requested a two-week continuance for sentencing to allow time for a psychosexual evaluation to be conducted by an expert. Johnson set a tentative sentencing date for July 6 at 9:30 a.m., with the understanding that a special sentencing date will be finalized once the evaluation report is complete.
Walla Walla County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kelly Buerstatte noted that the victim, who is no longer a minor, was present for the hearing remotely.
Weston, who has remained out of custody after posting a $1,000 cash bond, will have his electronic home monitoring (EHM) unit removed pending sentencing. However, Judge Johnson ordered a strict no-contact order with the victim, remain in effect.
