Pasco Performer Pleads Not Guilty to Raping Preschooler

PASCO (AP) — A man who worked as a performer at children's parties in the Tri-Cities remains jailed on $50,000 bail on allegations that he sexually assaulted a preschooler in 2014.

The Tri-City Herald reports that Alexander Pheng Siharath, of Pasco, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree child rape.

Court documents say the 40-year-old sexually assaulted the child and threatened to kill the girl's family if she told anyone about the incident.

The victim told police that the suspect, who she pointed out in a photo lineup, touched her inappropriately in a closet.

Authorities say the girl never attended one of the parties where Siharath worked and has no connection to his job.