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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Spokane man involved in youth gymnastics arraigned on charges of child rape, molestation

Mark S. Hoffmeister, 64, was arraigned Tuesday morning on charges of rape, child rape and child molestation in Spokane County Superior Court. (Spokane County Sheriff’s Office)

A 64-year-old man who has been involved in local youth gymnastics was arraigned Tuesday morning on charges of rape, child rape and child molestation, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.

In a news release Tuesday afternoon, the sheriff’s office said it began investigating Mark S. Hoffmeister in mid-September after receiving an anonymous tip “regarding sexual abuse of a young female.”

Now, the sheriff’s office said, Hoffmeister is suspected in sexual assaults dating back to the mid-1990s.

The sheriff’s office said Brad Humphrey, a detective in the sexual assault unit, found that Hoffmeister and his family “were involved in local competitive gymnastics and frequently had contact with juveniles locally, and during out-of-town gymnastic meets and family vacations.”

Hoffmeister appears to have no prior criminal record in Washington. He pleaded not guilty Tuesday to six felony charges, including one count of second-degree rape, three counts of first-degree child rape and two counts of first-degree child molestation.

The sheriff’s office said anyone with information about misconduct by Hoffmeister should contact Detective Humphrey at (509) 477-3028. The reference number for the case is 10133211.