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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
News >  Crime/Public Safety

‘Spokane Spanker’ sentenced on eight counts of assault

The man who claimed on Wednesday to be the Spokane Spanker, responsible for a string of assaults along the Centennial trail, has been sentenced. (Courtesy of KHQ video)
The man who claimed on Wednesday to be the Spokane Spanker, responsible for a string of assaults along the Centennial trail, has been sentenced. (Courtesy of KHQ video)

The self-proclaimed “Spokane Spanker” was sentenced on eight counts of fourth-degree assault Wednesday after he was arrested for slapping the backsides of multiple women in downtown Spokane and on the Centennial Trail.

Jonathan L. Smith, 29, was arrested April 20 after police received multiple reports of his behavior. However, before he was arrested Smith walked into the downtown KHQ Television studio and gave a tearful confession on camera.

During his confession Smith said he was trying to be “daring and mischievous” and said he slapped up to 50 women “for the thrill.”

Smith was originally charged with 11 counts of assault but three counts were dismissed after Smith pleaded guilty to the rest. On Wednesday Spokane County District Court Judge Vance Peterson ordered that Smith serve 13 days in jail on each of the eight counts with credit for the time he’s already served in jail. He was released from jail Wednesday evening.

Smith was also sentenced to 24 months probation and was ordered to complete a psychosexual evaluation.

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