By Scott North
Herald Writer
A Snohomish County veterinarian who drugged and raped a 10-year-old girl was given a chance at sexual deviancy treatment Tuesday instead of a lengthy prison sentence.
Roy Hodges Haralson, 52, of Stanwood had faced roughly 11 years behind bars after being convicted of first-degree child rape and possession of child pornography.
Haralson still could wind up in prison if he fails to abide by a strict, court-supervised treatment program, Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Larry McKeeman said.
"You won’t get another chance," the judge said.
"I appreciate this chance," Haralson said. "It is all I need."
The judge made it clear that the ruling was a close call.
Evidence showed that Haralson not only abused the girl, but also did the same thing to the child’s mother when she was young, as well as the girl’s aunt. The veterinarian used pharmaceutical drugs to eliminate his victims’ resistance and paid hush money in the past to keep his conduct from being reported to authorities, McKeeman said.
All of the victims were relatives, and "it’s hard to characterize that type of conduct as anything but despicable," the judge said.
Even so, McKeeman said a therapist with a solid reputation had deemed Haralson a good prospect for sex offender treatment. Offenders who complete treatment pose a lower risk of reoffending, the judge said.
Under the plan, Haralson will serve a six-month jail sentence in work release if he is eligible. After that, he’ll be required to complete a lengthy period of outpatient sex offender treatment.
The judge told Haralson he can count on going to prison for a long time if he violates any condition of his special sentence.
Haralson, who owns Silver Lake Veterinary Clinic, was arrested in July and charged in August after the girl said he’d given her a pill that left her unable to resist a sexual assault.
When the girl awoke the next morning she was injured, and there was a $20 bill on the bed next to her, prosecutors alleged.
Haralson was the focus of a 1999 sex investigation involving the girl’s mother and aunt, but too much time had elapsed for that case to be prosecuted. Haralson’s attorney, Jim Lobsenz, said his client recognized he had a sexual deviancy problem but was unable to get treatment because he feared prosecution.
Haralson’s veterinary license has been suspended, and he almost certainly will lose it because of his conviction, the lawyer said.
You can call Herald Writer Scott North at 425-339-3431 or send e-mail to north@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
