Bail Set at $500,000 for Man Accused of Raping Girl, 13, in Centralia, Fleeing to California

Aug. 27—Bail has been set at $500,000 for a Centralia man who fled to California after he was charged for allegedly raping a 13-year-old multiple times between December 2020 and June 2021.

The victim's mother reported the alleged abuse on June 24, which she said was the first time she was able to get herself and her children away from the defendant, 40-year-old Brian A. Westbrook.

Westbrook had reportedly indicated "that if the police were called, he would take her with him" and said Westbrook "regularly talks about suicide by cop when police are brought up," according to court documents.

While Westbrook was only charged for the alleged sexual abuse of the 13-year-old victim, court documents accuse Westbrook of physically assaulting and repeatedly giving marijuana to a 7-year-old.

Westbrook was charged with four counts of second-degree rape of a child on July 16 and a $500,000 warrant for Westbrook's arrest was issued the same day. A nationwide warrant in the same amount was issued on July 23.

Westbrook was arrested in California on July 26 and was extradited back to Lewis County.

"I think he's an extreme community safety risk, an extreme flight risk, and these are very serious allegations," said Deputy Prosecutor Joe Bassetti at Westbrook's preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Aug. 26.

Defense attorney Rachael Tiller asked Judge Joely O'Rourke to reduce Westbrook's bail from the $500,000 set in the arrest warrant to no more than $25,000, but O'Rourke chose to retain the $500,000 bail amount due to the severity of the allegations and the community danger posed by Westbrook's alleged threats to commit "suicide by cop."

O'Rourke also approved a protection order for the 13-year-old victim and set conditions that Westbrook not have any contact with minors or visit places where minors congregate should he be released.

Westbrook's next court appearance is an arraignment hearing scheduled for Sept. 2.

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