Rape charges filed against former WFD officer

Former assistant chief accused of molesting his 16-year-old babysitter

EPHRATA-Grant County Superior Court documents indicate that sexual assault charges have been filed against the former assistant chief of the Warden Fire Department, Marty Whitney.

The documents, signed off by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Carolyn Fair, accuse Whitney of molesting a 16-year-old girl who was working as his family's babysitter between mid-June and mid-July of this year.

The news has come as a big blow to the small city of Warden. A source that spoke on condition of anonymity describes Whitney as "an exemplary pillar of our community.

"I have tremendous respect for Whitney's character," the source said. "Yet, I cannot doubt the girl's veracity." The source added that Whitney had resigned his post at the fire department due to the allegations.

According to a Warden Police Department incident report form, the girl came to the office of WPD chief Ken Krebs alongside her parents in early August of this year and described repeated instances of molestation by Whitney while his wife was away; at one point removing her clothing while the girl was asleep.

The girl's father gave a statement as well, saying that Whitney had called him saying that she had initiated the touching.

Whitney faces charges of third-degree rape of a child, the maximum penalty for which is five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.