By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – An 18-year-old Centralia resident who allegedly shared a sexually explicit video of a young girl in a conversation on his cell phone appeared in Lewis County Superior Court today, after being summonsed to appear.
Steven D. Young was charged by Lewis County prosecutors on Jan. 2 with first-degree dealing in depictions of minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Conviction can bring a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and/or a $$20,000 fine.
Charging documents written in December state that the Centralia Police Department received a referral from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, contending Young was conversing with an un-named person using the KIK application on his phone.
During the conversation, Young sent a video to the person showing an approximately 12-year-old girl masturbating, according to the allegations. He also allegedly claimed to be having sex with young girls, the documents relate.
An accompanying court document alleges the incident occurred on July 26.
Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer writes that Young was interviewed by police and initially denied knowing of the conversation.
He allegedly eventually recalled the conversation and video and said he needed counseling and should go to jail, and also claimed to being threatened, which caused him to send the video, Meyer wrote.
Lewis County Deputy Prosecutor Paul Masiello told a judge this afternoon Young has no criminal history whatsoever and requested he be allowed release pending trial on a $20,000 unsecured bond.
Judge Andrew Toynbee agreed.
His arraignment was scheduled for Feb. 15.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter