Suspect denies abusing children

A Gulf War veteran who was arrested in February by the FBI in the kingdom of Tonga appeared in court Thursday and pleaded not guilty to four counts of sexual abuse of children.

David Frederick Achtemeier, 39, pleaded not guilty before Superior Court Judge Maryann Moreno, who set a trial date for July 24.

Achtemeier faces two counts of first-degree rape of a child and two counts of first-degree child molestation, according to court records. The alleged victims are the daughters of Achtemeier’s former girlfriend.

He also apparently has charges pending in Stevens County, his defense attorney, Diane Grecco, said in court.

Achtemeier, who was wounded as a medic in the Persian Gulf in 1991, fled Spokane in 2004 after charges were filed.

The FBI obtained a warrant charging Achtemeier with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution on July 6, 2005. He was eventually located in Tonga, which is on a series of islands in the South Pacific between Hawaii and New Zealand.

Reward offered in Big 5 robbery

Secret Witness is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of a fugitive suspected of robbing a Big 5 Sporting Goods store at 5725 E. Sprague Ave. last week.

A warrant for John Henry Hernandez, a Hispanic male transient, currently staying in Spokane but formerly of Oxnard, Calif., was issued in connection with the robbery at 12:20 p.m. April 27, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan said.

Hernandez is accused of entering Big 5 and handing an employee a note demanding cash. He claimed to be armed with a knife and said he would shoot anyone who followed him, Reagan said.

The clerk handed over money. Hernandez fled in a black 1994 Ford Ranger with Washington license plate A40226P, Reagan said. The Ford was driven by a female.

The suspect may be living in the area of Division and East Bridgeport.

Hernandez is described as 5-foot-5 and 165 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He has the word “SURENO” tattooed above his right eyebrow.

Anyone with information is asked to call (509) 327-5111. Callers do not have to give their name to be eligible for the reward but should provide a code name or number.

Body found in river may be that of teen

A body pulled from the Spokane River on Thursday afternoon is believed to be that of a teenage boy who jumped from the Monroe Street Bridge on Wednesday night, police said.

The boy, estimated to be 16 years old, was seen floating in the Spokane River downstream from Spokane Falls Community College, said Spokane police Sgt. Joe Peterson. The death is being investigated as a suicide.

Police received a call about 8 p.m. Wednesday about a teen jumping off the bridge, Peterson said.

Rooftop police will drum up donations

No one will be able to accuse law enforcement officers of spending too much time inside a doughnut shop this weekend. They’ll be on the roof.

Spokane police will be atop the Krispy Kreme shop at 15401 East Indiana Ave. in Spokane Valley on Friday, from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m., to encourage customers to donate to local Special Olympics programs.

Sheriff’s deputies will take a turn Saturday, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Kalispel tribal officers will follow suit on Sunday.

Donations will help pay for uniforms, equipment, training and other expenses of athletes with disabilities who are training for summer games next month at McChord Air Force Base near Tacoma.

Event will teach water conservation

In the wake of Spokane City Council adoption of a new water stewardship program, sponsors are holding a public education event from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and Saturday at River Park Square.

The event will include displays showing how much water people use for everyday tasks, and how they can reduce their uses through simple changes such as installing low-flow shower heads and cutting down on pre-rinsing of dishes. Children can attend an appearance of a character called “Aquaduck” on Saturday from noon to 3 p.m.

The council on Monday adopted a resolution setting goals for reducing household water consumption by 5 percent indoors and 20 percent outdoors over the next 10 years.

The idea is to conserve the region’s underground water supply to accommodate future growth and maintain a healthy Spokane River.