Fairchild airman arrested on assault allegations

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE – A senior airman has been arrested in connection with alleged sexually motivated crimes.

Devontaye T. Harden, 26, was arrested Thursday, Jan. 27 at Fairchild Air Force Base with the help of agents with the Office of Special Investigations, according to the Spokane Police Department.

Harden was booked into Spokane County Jail on allegations of two counts of fourth-degree assault with a “sexual motivation” enhancement to be sought, police said.

According to records, Harden entered a plea of “not guilty” on Friday Jan. 28 regarding the allegations, and his bail was raised from $1,000 to $5,000.

“The Air Force and Fairchild Air Force Base take these allegations very seriously,” a statement released by Fairchild officials said. “Behavior of this kind has no place in our ranks. We emphasize a culture of respect and uphold our airmen to high standards.”

The arrest comes after two women, one adult and one juvenile, told police a man had approached them in the Manito Park area and groped a sensitive part of their bodies before running away, records show.

Officers from the Special Victims Unit investigated the claims and found Harden to be a person of interest after processing evidence and doing multiple interviews.

No further information is currently available.

Reporter Matthew O. Stephens can be reached at [email protected]

 

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