Walla Walla man pleads not guilty to new child sexual abuse material charges
By Dan Thesman on Tuesday, September 1st, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA — A Walla Walla man pleaded not guilty Monday in Walla Walla County Superior Court to five new counts of possessing child sexual abuse material.
Ismael Aaron Castro Garcia, 39, entered the non-guilty pleas through defense attorney Ashely Kulberg following an arraignment on a second amended information filed Aug. 27 by county prosecutors.
The new charges allege Castro Garcia knowingly possessed depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct on or about May 29.
Castro Garcia already faces six felony charges involving domestic violence, including one count of first-degree child rape and five counts of second-degree child rape involving a child under 13.
During the hearing, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kelly Buerstatte noted that an additional $100,000 bail was previously set on the new charges. Combined with the $100,000 bail established for the initial child rape offenses, Castro Garcia’s total bail remains at $200,000. Defense counsel reserved the right to make future bail arguments.
The court scheduled a status hearing for Sept. 10, with trial slated to begin Oct. 12.
