Man arrested on sex charge

Deschutes County deputies arrested a Sequim, Washington, man who allegedly molested his six-year-old niece in Sisters last week.

Joshua Stephen Murray, 18, was arrested for an incident that allegedly took place Tuesday, April 18, while he was staying with his sister's family in the Sisters area.

The girl's family reported the alleged incident to the sheriff's office. When deputies went to the house, Murray was gone.

The deputies searched the area and found Murray lying behind a tree in the woods about 200 yards from the house.

A deputy interviewed Murray, who, according to sheriff's office reports, did not deny the accusation. He allegedly said he had been drinking before the incident occurred and that such an act is "out of character" for him.

Murray was taken into custody and lodged at Deschutes County Jail on a charge of first degree sex abuse, a Class B felony.

Murray was arraigned on that charge and on an additional related charge on Thursday, April 20, according to Deputy Disttrict Attorney Steve Gunnels.

The alleged crimes are Measure 11 offenses, Gunnels said. They carry mandatory minimum sentences of 75 and 100 months in prison, respectively.

The case was to go before a grand jury on Thursday, April 27, according to Gunnels.