WSU professor jailed for raping teen house guest

BY Tim Haeck  on September 20, 2012 @ 6:46 am (Updated: 9:23 am - 9/20/12 )

A Washington State University professor is jailed, accused of raping a teenager who moved into his house.

The 18-year-old woman claims Andrew Appleton coerced her into a sexual relationship, beginning when she was 16-years-old.

According to court documents, the woman says she moved in with Appleton and his wife to escape an abusive situation at home.

When Appleton's wife moved to California, the woman says she moved with her and Appleton was a frequent visitor. It was in California, she claims, that Appleton first touched her inappropriately.

She told investigators that after a time, the sexual relationship became a way of life and that she was allowed to date boys as a cover. The woman eventually told an aunt about the relationship and she alerted police.

The woman agreed to help police investigate Appleton and he was arrested in a Moscow, Idaho park Tuesday after agreeing to meet the woman.

Appleton, 51, is an associate professor of politics and a WSU faculty member since 1994. A university spokesman says Appleton has been removed from his duties.

Tim Haeck, KIRO Radio Reporter
Tim Haeck is a news reporter with KIRO Radio. While Tim is one of our go-to, no-nonsense reporters, he also has a sensationally dry sense of humor and it will surprise some to learn he is a weekend warrior.
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