Charges Of Child Rape Dismissed For Trio Prosecutor Cites Lack Of Evidence To Tie To Sex Ring Investigation

Chelan County Prosecutor Gary Riesen has decided not to file charges against three people arrested on suspicion of child rape and molestation. He cited insufficient evidence.

The three, Pam Kimble, Edward L. Knowles Jr., and his father, Edward L. Knowles Sr., had been arrested on suspicion of having group sex with children.

Kimble, 33, of Wenatchee was arrested April 24 on suspicion of first-degree rape of a child.

Riesen said police had probable cause to arrest Kimble, based on a statement made by a child. “But I don’t think there was sufficient detail … to support a probability that we would get a conviction,” he said.

Edward L. Knowles Jr., 34, of Wenatchee was arrested April 20 while already in jail on a probation violation charge. He was accused of child molestation and child rape. He was released from jail April 25.

Riesen said he had insufficient evidence in the Knowles case.

Knowles’ former wife, Kerri A. Knowles, 34, has been charged with multiple counts of child rape and child molestation. She has pleaded innocent and is scheduled for trial July 11.

Edward L. Knowles Sr., 68, of Wenatchee was arrested May 3 on suspicion of multiple counts of child rape and released the next day.

Riesen said police did not provide specific information that described the victim and time and place of abuse. He said it impossible for him to dig through a mountain of past reports.

Twenty-three other adults have been charged with participating in the sex rings. Twelve of the cases have resulted in guilty pleas or convictions - on charges including child rape, incest and molestation of a child. One case was dismissed and the other 10 cases are pending.