Man Pleads Innocent To Molesting Stepson Eric Eliason Accused Of Incest, Intimidating Witness; Trial To Begin In April

A Spokane man accused of sexually abusing his stepson may have been “grooming” the boy for as long as 10 years, a deputy prosecutor said.

But Eric B. Eliason’s attorney said his client was a man who dutifully served his country and has an unblemished record.

Eliason, 35, pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree incest, sexual exploitation of a minor and intimidation of a witness at his Superior Court arraignment Thursday.

Eliason is accused of having sex with his underage stepson, now 17, and filming the boy in sex acts with six different girls.

Sheriff’s detectives arrested Eliason in February after his estranged wife, Michelle Eliason, found the videotapes.

Deputy Prosecutor Sharon Hedlund wasn’t sure how many tapes were discovered. Deputies are continuing to investigate the case to determine if additional charges should be brought because of the reported involvement of the six girls, she said.

Eliason was involved in a teacher-observation program at Skyview Elementary School in the Spokane Valley. He was also an education student at Eastern Washington University at the time he was arrested.

After being charged and booked into Spokane County Jail, Eliason allegedly threatened to take away their child, Hedlund said.

The alleged victim is the son of Eliason’s ex-wife, Wendy Eliason, but the son lived with Eliason and Michelle Eliason. Both Michelle and Wendy Eliason were in court for the arraignment.

They declined to comment about the case.

Spokane County Superior Court Judge Greg Sypolt reduced Eliason’s bail by half to $100,000. Attorney Rob Cossey was hoping to get it lowered to $50,000.

“He served in Operation Desert Storm, has a four-year teaching degree from Eastern Washington University. … why is bail $200,000 when other cases of this matter are in the $15,000 to $20,000 range?” Cossey asked Sypolt.

Cossey cited a sexual abuse case he recently handled before Sypolt in which a defendant also faced a first-degree child molestation charge but had bail set at $25,000.

Sypolt said he was concerned about the allegation that Eliason intimidated his estranged wife and decided to keep bail at a level which Cossey said would probably keep his client in jail.

Eliason - honorably discharged from the service as a logistical engineer - could face a 41- to 54-month sentence if convicted.

The trial is scheduled to start April 24.

Meanwhile, Hedlund revealed a picture of a man who she said is a danger to his family and community.

Eliason retained custody of his ex-wife’s son after divorcing her. Hedlund said keeping the boy allowed Eliason to sexually “groom” him.

“He has bent over backwards to keep this boy in his home,” Hedlund said.

She went on to say that as many as eight different children, some from Eliason’s marriages to Michelle and Wendy Eliason, may have all been exposed to inappropriate sexual behavior at some time.

“At least five are acting out in a sexually aggressive manner,” Hedlund said.

Eliason’s reported victim has visited his stepfather twice in jail, she said.

The eight children in question range in age from infancy to 17, Hedlund said.