Todd D. Phelps, left, passes defense attorney Bob Schroeter as he leaves the courtroom in Chehalis.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – A now-former softball coach at Pe Ell High School went before a judge this afternoon to face an additional charge in connection with alleged sexual contacts with a 16-year-old player on the girls’ team.
Todd D. Phelps, 52, of Pe Ell, is charged with third-degree rape now as well as second-degree sexual misconduct with a minor.
The new count followed further investigation of an incident that allegedly occurred in July in which the girl said Phelps asked her to meet him at his brother’s Pe Ell residence to discuss cuts to her legs and asked her to lower her pants, according to charging documents.
Charging documents allege he kissed her, touched her and suggested more, and she said told him, “No, please don’t.” They engaged in sex and she said “she was very scared and just wanted it to be over,” charging documents allege.
Phelps resigned at the end of April after two years as an assistant coach. His resignation was because of a violation of school policy regarding social contact with students, according to the school district superintendent.
He was summoned into Lewis County Superior Court today where Judge Richard Brosey said he could remain free if he signed a $25,000 unsecured appearance bond.
Phelps was scheduled to return to court Dec. 8 to make his plea.
Phelps was arrested last month following the report about two incidents made in September to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.
At the time, he was charged only with second-degree sexual misconduct with a minor in connection with an April 2 encounter with the girl. On that day, according to charging documents, he had asked her to stop by his house and asked her to take off her pants so he could see some cuts on her legs.
She told a deputy Phelps began hugging her, pulled her into his lap and kissed her.
She described her relationship to him as that of a student and coach, and as part of a “second family,” charging documents state.
Third-degree rape carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Second-degree sexual misconduct with a minor is a gross misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail.
If convicted, Phelps would be required to register as a sex offender.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
If your point is the stress of continually waiting for a trial or verdict is worse than incarceration, I understand what you are implying I just don’t agree. Maybe if your actual experience of lock up was less time than waiting for trial, I guess I could understand your claim. Otherwise I don’t see it. I don’t know how losing your freedom for a significant amount of time would be easier, I don’t know how living in prison with different rules, expectations, without loved ones would be easier, and if it was easier why do people fight so hard to stay out. If that is YOUR actual experience I cannot say that is true for you. However, I have only known one real criminal and that person was so busy fighting charges all through their live most of the time, your claim sounds like something that person would say. However, that person was very slick and others ended up serving time and paying the price. The time the person actually spent in county jail was minuscule compared to the crimes and the time others stayed. I guess if the words you are actually stating are not your point I guess I don’t know what your point is…… It cannot be the content of the story of Damocles because that would be laughable in this situation.
P.S. Why are you evoking the names of the dead in your screen name? That’s creepy.
That’s not really the point I was stating. Compared to the stress of continually waiting for a trial or verdict, actual incarceration is easy.
And there is no whining or blaming others allowed in lock up, ya gotta do you’re own time.
Everything I said is truth based on actual experience, most people in the criminal justice system are there due to impulse control problems. People need to remember prison is real.
I don’t think that anyone would argue the stress of the trial is difficult, but difficult for both sides. Making a statement that the punishment will not be as bad as waiting for the outcome is presumptuous and likely short sighted. The sword hanging by a horse hair over the top of your head may be frightening/uncomfortable but not as much as the sword falling and taking your life. I can only find truth in your comment if you maintain the confidence of an experienced criminal who knows and believes that the sword is not likely to fall at all, which is likely why the crime was committed in the first place.
I typed in Todd Phelps name in the search engine and I was taken to an apparent Indie music site called northernshout.co.uk.
It had all the public file photos published on Todd Phelps in digital quality,superimposed over the sites wallpaper, there is some text also but I couldn’t read it, there were some other photos of a couple other people as well….weird
The Sword of Damocles.
What an odd thing to say.
Some times prosecuters use these run up times to further investigate the case.But thats speculation, who knows.
I think defendants can demand the trial to begin post haste or request the prosecuter drop the case, but if a waver to speedy trial was signed, that may not be an option.
The wheels of justice grind slow, but grind they do. Incarceration is easy, the punishment is within the process.
I see the state asked for another continuance. Is this case ever going to trial?. The stress every week must be brutal.
You can lie all ya wanna. The fact seems to be, you had sex with a 16yr old girl you are 52. Who is the adult, you took advantage of her. That is sick. Sick Sick Sick!!! There is no excuse for that behavior!!!! Is any of that OK..The answer is NO!!! Todd Phelps is disgusting!!! I would hide my face also. And yes, God will take care of it and all the hurt to the family that has been caused by your behavior!!!
It looks like the state has added additional witnesses, i’m more interested in who was served with the supoena to produce documents under threat of possible penalty.
Don’t know if either are related, it was the defense that made the initial motion for continuence on 2/17. I may be reading it wrong, it looks like the state are requesting the trial go forward.
I see a docket entry that indicates:
“Motion To Continue Trial By State ”
That’s the prosc attny, I wonder what that could be about? I thought we agreed the defense / defendant was requesting the continue?
Just curious.
Just a hunch, what with yet again another continuance made by the defense, it just has the ear marks of a plea deal. I don’t know if the deals off the table or not. If it keeps the girl from having to testify that is motivation for the prosecution,plus saving the taxpayers money.
I don’t think a Plea Deal is in the Picture. Why would the Prosecutor go through all the prepping for trial if a Deal had not already been proposed. Even if the Defense wants to Plea NOW, doesn’t mean the Prosecutor has to address it.
With all that said, I don’t have any facts to back it up, just thinking out loud as to what would seem reasonable.
This is gonna be a plea deal,the defendants earlier statements on here regarding the state shoving their “deal” was just typical false bravado.
Wow, just stopped by to catch up on anything new or relevent. Seems a bunch of posters turned this into something akin to a You Tube comment page running underneath a Metallica video.
The crux of the case seems to me hinges on just one salient issue, the word “no”. For about the last 20 years Washington is amongst a number of states with what is known as a “no means no” law regarding consent, i.e. if one party says no, the other must cease,or it becomes a crime, probably more so when the person saying no is a minor and the other is a adult over the age of 50.
If a defendants’ witness list is people testifying as character witnesses, not sure if that is effective, if the state has hard evidence, like text messages,cell phone records that show point of call orgins and times etc.
And there is no way the girls home sits back 100 yards from the road, and he could have drove up around the hill and approached that building from the north.I think the judge let him off with a stern warning so as not to possibly bias a jury, or himself be accused of bias against the defendant as he is presiding over the trial.
If it comes to it, i’ve got a great recipe for making jailhouse burritos, stay tuned!
Good to hear. Finally going to court. Guess I might want to delay going to prison also if I knew I was going to have to face those big boys.
“Honestly”, Phelps’ case is scheduled for next week. Unless he decides to come up with some other reason to delay his going to prison….
Postponed again. If I was innocent (TP) I would have had a for sure alibi at the get go and not continue to try and find one to LIE for me. I would have wanted my name cleared by now and if I was innocent I would not have had to continue to plea for time. If one is innocent, they can prove it and would want their name cleared asap! This whole thing has made everyone sick. Maybe TP should also think about what this is doing to his own family. If you play you are gonna have to pay!
Okay JustWait24 Yes i am her family and yes I am stubborn but you need to stop and leave this alone our family does not deserve this because of you!!!! You are Idiot and leave my family ALONE!!! and stop running your mouth when you don’t know what the hell you are talking cause apparently you are not even related to a party in this case so shut the hell up and leave this alone.
JustWait24, I am pretty sure that you dont know what you are talking about in your comment from the 14th at 10:30 because being related to the victim’s family I know perfectly well that the house in Pe Ell is STILL her HOME and ALWAYS will be. It also is not even close to being 100 yards away from the road, you really are talking a bunch of bull you are pulling out of you ass and you need to stop! You dont know what happen you dont know the story and you think that you do. you need to just leave this alone and stop NOW!!! it is Immature and i am guessing that you are like 65 years old it is time to grow up and act like a freaking adult. or did you never get that far?!? So for the sake of everyone on here and the victim’s FAmily STOP and leave this ALONE!!!!!! Grow up. And also the school situation UMMMM Yes you can live somewhere else and go to another school I know many people that go to a school that they dont live close to you really have not got a clue! Get over yourself!
you just keep guessing who I am 🙂 I don’t so much care who you people are. And BTW, this is the only forum I have posted in, so I don’t have another alias….but thanks, now my curiosity is up and I will go snoop.
Since we are guessing……I think RaginCajun is a woman. I think her alias was Sue Shore on a different site where she carried herself the same way she does here. I also think her name starts with a K and she is a cousin of TP
For a guy, Cagin, you are definitely a drama queen and have one hell of an imagination with your metaphors. I hope the trial does happen in a few weeks. Even I have grown tired arguing and insulting your ignorance.
And Nicole…. what’s up with the 10 phelps facebook friends and no others on the opposing side? You’re so unbiased and inconspicuous.
the only person that I have put down on this forum is you, “rajin” you seem to think that you are the only person who can have an opinion. I have only stated the law and a bible quote, which you have put down. I too believe in the law, and believe that everyone has the right to a fair trail. I also believe that when you make mistakes, you take responsibility for them. Not once did I put anyone’s family down, and say a word about TP… I call you as i see you. And I really don’t care what you think of me. you can come on here and call me all the names you want. I will be waiting to hear what happens at the trail. I know some good people who have been ran through the mud for sticking up for what they think is wrong, and it was on this site that it happened, and “rajin” it wasn’t from the victims family that it happened it came from the Phelps camp. and I didn’t see those ladies coming at them. They are good people who deserve to be treated with respect. Ya big dummy.
Thank you for helping me come back to ground on my point for continuing posting in the forum. You big dummies are so hell bent to be heard, to vent, to go get justice for yourselves, to condem not only the accused but anyone who disagrees with your stellar views and points of wisdom. You are all just DYING to poke a spear in ANYTHING that disagrees with you. You’re going to respond to this post for THAT very reason.
Please take it upon yourselves to label me as an “asshole”. I will take that title long before I take yours.
Court is the week after next. If both council follow all the rules of engagement incuding that one about disclosure, we’ll be off to the races with the trial.
Until then, I’m quite certain you will continue to take it upon yourselves and see it within your rights to conduct the trial on your own accord….oh wait, you already are, and not just against the accused; against his family, peers, and anyone that supports his version of the events….AND anyone who tells you it’s really not within your realm of responsibility to convict before justice runs its course.
Perhaps you would do better residing in a less civilized country with a “point of use” justice system like Iran where they shoot people for clothing habits and attemping to speak on religious freedom.
If I can make it over for trial, I’m sure I will recognize your clan…..you’ll be the ones holding the spears and noose.
BIG DUMMIES
My vote is Ragin is a guy because he argues like an a$$hole and a woman would never say anything as immature and obnoxious as, “YOU BIG DUMMY” because it would make her look like an idiot. Not unless she was foolish enough to quote her knucklehead husband or one of his friends.
I think your a man, in part because I would have to feel sorry for your children if you were a woman. I feel bad for anyone in a relationship with you. Unfortunately, when people don’t recognize verbal abuse for what it is, a person who is putting them down, giving them orders, or “correcting,” denouncing, yelling at them. And what women would go get “beer and Popcorn” Really maybe wine and some chocolate.. ya big dummy.
I don’t particularly care what your gender is to be honest. It’s your blatant lack of both intelligence and a logical thought process that gets me.
You’re so darn wise, you’re sure I’m a man huh?…..OK
Why am I a guy?
*runs for popcorn and a beer, cuz this is going to be good*
Lets, tell him your name… I’m dying to find out who on God’s green earth is as misinformed, egocentric and brain washed as Ragin.
Lets….I stand corrected, you are not a dummy; you are a moron. Nice you tube video. It appears, like your mindless spewing on this site, you are not capable of your OWN thoughts, positions, and counters. YOU’RE JUST A BIG PUPPET!!! LOL
And again, my original point was to let the legal system do its good work. I don’t recall saying no one has no right to be angry, in fact I’m most certain that was not the case. But clearly you see ONLY what you want to see. YOU BIG DUMMY 🙂
I think that rajincajun first name is Jeff. I might be wrong, but heck I have to take a stab at it.
Nicole, Jenn, Kelli do us all a favor and leave. What each of you are saying is petty and inconceivably hypocritical. Go cause drama somewhere else, there is enough here as is.
Not once did Nicole take one side or the other. Just saying!!
I sort of love Nicole. The rest of you idiots don’t seem to be sincere or seem to care about anyone except for yourself. ” justiceforall “is a freaaaakkkkkk!!! What is this point system you follow… you must be super good at video games.
I wish I could twist things to my liking, this thing would be over with and people wouldn’t have to come on here and put themselves through this. Life is way too short to have people like you in their lives telling them they have no right to feel anger, and be upset.
Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws.
Lets hear it ya BIG DUMMY!!
Rajin, this is for you 😉 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hfYJsQAhl0
Letsgetreal, you should pay attention. I’m not sure where you decided I liked Nicole’s post just because she used her real name.
Why don’t you skim back through and you may see there were no kudos for her “real name”. It must be a habit of yours to fabricate issues and twist them to your liking? That would explain a lot.
You want my real name?….ok…but you first
As stated in another post on here. Yes I for one am giving the Alden family support and those involved. Would like to see the community move past this whole situation. However, how do we do so when TP continues to get his trial pushed back and not face it head on, go to trial and put this behind everyone! Why continue to prolong it. Be a man face up and go to court..if you are innocent then you should have wanted to get it over with!!
I only deal in facts. I don’t come on here and put people down. Well except you. You BIG DUMMY
and “rajun” since you like it so much that Nicole came on here and gave her real name, why don’t you tell us who you are. Or are you a hypocrite?
Oh Oh,
I see now what those 4 subpoenas are *grins*
Looks like the justice system AND the long arms of the law will make this a factual journey.
Ya Big DUMMY
slip of the fingers should have been aka…TP and Sh P. nice to see families do stick together when trying to discredit actual hones people!
The trial was only pushed back a week.
Still, I want to know why he is not in jail right now for violating the orders against him? And before all of you defenders of him start going off, you CAN go to school somewhere else (if it is deemed best for your safety or the safety of the school… they do this all the time). Maybe during the school week, this girl is staying with a relative to make it easier to get to/from school, and then returning home on the weekends…. does that mean she lives somewhere else? No, it does not. Ergo, he broke the law by driving past her residence and coming to within 100 feet of it.
And ignorance is no excuse. Neither is that bullplop about delivering wood.
Where are you Ican Lie Ifiwanna…Aka…TP and KP??? No comments lately??? What is the saying??? You can run but you can’t hide. All will have their day in court and Guilty will be proven!!
Interesting, I see only 4 subpoenas logged…I would think with such a professed rock solid open and shut case. there would be more?
Perhaps data entry is a little backlogged.
Oh rajun, the system is working just fine, see the sheriffs department on 12/21 handed out subpoenas, and it cost 553 dollars, then the defense finally 1/14 gave there witness list, and the state added one more. but thank you my “foe Friend” for putting in your two bits. YA BIG DUMMY
Nicole’s post was probably the most clean cut and un offensive verbiage I have read on this forum thus far: Including my own.
But look! The raging townspeople come stomping at her with spears and flaming torches chanting “witch!” “burn her at the stake!” “put her in the water trough!”
I’m not shocked at all….I expect nothing less from the folks here. Kudo’s to you Nicole for attempting to insert some reason and level headedness with the hostile town foe. They can’t pay attention right now: they’re sharpening their spears and looking for really big rocks.
As for a delay. ALLEGEDLY it’s a big NO NO for any council to with hold ANY information from either side. We would not want a mis trial or a dismissal now would we?
Interesting, I see only 4 subpoenas logged…I would think with such a professed rock solid open and shut case. there would be more?
Perhaps data entry is a little backlogged.
If this man is an innocent, altruistic, hilariously clever comedian, who would never do anything wrong, has nothing to hide, and has solid evidence as such… then why does he keep seeking continuance after continuance? Wouldn’t you think he’d just want to be proven innocent and put this whole thing behind him?
Why won’t my posts go through…
Another Delay.
Do you think this has to do with the Girls BB state tourney?
Or Maybe the Defense needs time for an alibi.
Time will tell.
You don’t get extra points by giving your real name either. What are you trying to prove by posting criticisms and then acting surprised, “Yikes,” when others have reactions. Are you naive or just trying to mask your manipulative reason for posting which was passively insulting everyone? I am voting manipulative.
“I was just making suggestions” Really? You are not being very honest with yourself. What does, “If you people have issues take them up somewhere else, don’t use this unfortunate situation to get your anger out….my goodness, go for a walk!!!” mean?
Please, you’re condescending and probably bored, that is why you decided to get into the fray.