PORT ANGELES — The principal and head teacher of a Sequim-area private school has been charged with 12 counts of sexual misconduct with children — four counts of first-degree child rape and eight counts of child molestation.
Douglas J. Allison, 55, pleaded not guilty Friday to the crimes that he allegedly committed against two female students, ages 10 and 11, during classes at Mountain View Christian School.
Allison was formally charged with eight counts of first-degree child molestation and four counts of first-degree rape of a child.
Each charge contained a special allegation that Allison “used his position of trust, confidence or fiduciary responsibility to facilitate the commission of the current offense,” charging papers said.
The alleged crimes occurred at Allison’s desk while other students were studying, according to the affidavit for probable cause.
Allison is being held in the Clallam County jail on $100,000 bail.
May trial
He faces a three-week trial beginning May 9 in Clallam County Superior Court.
The maximum penalties for the Class A felonies are life in prison and/or a $50,000 fine.
After reviewing a financial affidavit, Clallam County Superior Court Judge Brian Coughenour appointed Clallam Public Defender to represent Allison.
Superior Court Judge Christopher Melly had denied Allison’s request for public representation Wednesday based on Allison’s estimated $48,000 salary.
Allison was placed on administrative leave when the allegations surfaced.
“I’ve reviewed this [financial] form, and I believe based on this information, it would be difficult for him, since he’s currently not employed, to retain counsel,” Coughenour said in a six-minute court hearing Friday.
Defense attorney John Hayden of Clallam Public Defender waived a formal reading of the charges and entered not-guilty pleas on Allison’s behalf.
Several dozen spectators, including a television news crew, attended Friday’s hearing.
Allison appeared in shackles wearing an orange jail-issue uniform.
The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office alleges that Allison molested and raped a fourth-grade student and a fifth-grade student multiple times over the course of the current school year.
The small school — the accused man is one of two teachers — at 225 Medsker Road north of Sequim operates under the direction of Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Officials cooperating
Church officials are cooperating with law enforcement, Clallam County Chief Criminal Deputy Brian King said.
Matthew Gilkey, Washington Conference of Seventh-day Adventists human resources director, said Wednesday the primary concern is the health and safety of Mountain View Christian School students.
A respected substitute teacher has been hired to instruct Allison’s former students, Gilkey said.
Allison has a pretrial status hearing scheduled for 1:30 p.m. April 15 in Clallam County Superior Court.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.