Moses Lake man makes deal in child molestation cases

A Moses Lake man made a plea agreement with prosecutors on three counts of first-degree child molestation stemming from crimes against three children.

Frederick Stiles Shaw, 79, entered Alford pleas to two counts and a guilty plea to the third March 25 in Grant County Superior Court. An Alford plea means he didn’t admit to the original charges, but acknowledged prosecutors could produce facts at a jury trial, which could convict him. He will be sentenced May 4.

Shaw molested two children between Dec. 12, 2019, and July 9, 2020, and a third child on July 6, 2004, records stated.

Shaw’s criminal offender score is six, giving him standard sentencing ranges of indeterminate life, with minimum terms of 98 to 130 months imprisonment under state law for each of the three counts. He also faces life in community custody. The maximum sentence for each is life imprisonment, a $50,000 fine or both.

In the plea agreement, prosecutors will recommend Shaw receive at least 130 months in prison on the three counts, running concurrently, followed by life in community custody. They also will ask the judge to give the three victims lifetime sexual assault protection from him and ask he pay court fees.

However, the judge doesn’t have to follow any recommendations.

Shaw is in the Grant County Jail.

Emily Thornton can be reached at ethornton@columbiabasinherald.com.