Pierce Co. judge charged with sex crimes

TACOMA, Wash. - A Pierce County Superior Court judge was charged Friday with felony harassment and a misdemeanor count of patronizing a prostitute.

The state attorney general's office alleges that Michael Hecht threatened to kill a prostitute on Aug. 30 of last year, shortly after Hecht was elected to the bench but before he was sworn in, the News Tribune of Tacoma reported.

According to court papers, the male prostitute told Tacoma police that Hecht, 58, had paid him for sex in the past.

In the second charge, prosecutors allege Hecht paid a different male prostitute to engage in sex.

"Judge Hecht denies both allegations," Hecht's attorney, Wayne Fricke, told the Associated Press.

"This is going to trial before a jury," the lawyer added. "We're confident they're going to make the right decision and exonerate him."

Fricke said Hecht has been hearing civil cases since he was sworn in Jan. 12, and he anticipated that the judge would continue doing so.

Pierce County Prosecutor Gerald Horne told The News Tribune in January that his staff wouldn't try any criminal cases before Hecht because the prosecutor didn't want to jeopardize them due to the investigation.

Superior Court Presiding Judge Bryan Chushcoff said Friday he will continue to assign cases to Hecht, including criminal matters, because he is presumed innocent and was elected by the voters to serve as a judge. Attorneys will have to decide whether they want Hecht to hear their cases, Chushcoff said.

Hecht is to earn a salary of $148,000 this year.

Reiko Callner, executive director of the state Commission on Judicial Conduct, said by state law she could not say whether a judge is being investigated.

Generally speaking, she said, a judge who faces criminal charges may be violating the code of judicial conduct. The commission could issue a warning, a reprimand or a censure, which could include a recommendation to the state Supreme Court that a judge be removed or suspended.

Hecht was newly elected to the bench on Aug. 19, beating out Judge Sergio Armijo.

The judge's arraignment was set for March 13. Conviction on the harassment charge is punishable by a maximum five years in prison and a $5,000 fine, although the standard sentencing range would be much lower.