In a significant ruling, the Washington Court of Appeals has upheld the convictions of Tommy Ray Stephens for multiple child-related offenses, including first-degree rape of a child and child molestation. The court found sufficient evidence supporting the convictions, despite Stephens' claims of insufficient evidence and a violation of his right to a unanimous jury verdict. The case, filed under docket number 61118-0-II, highlights the court's commitment to protecting the rights of children and ensuring that justice is served.

On November 10, 2026, the court issued its opinion, addressing multiple aspects of Stephens' appeal. The court ruled that while some of the conditions of his community custody were unlawful, the core convictions remained intact. This ruling is crucial as it emphasizes the court's stance on child protection and the legal standards required for such serious offenses.

Background

The case revolves around Tommy Stephens, who was engaged to Jordan Stanton, the mother of an eight-year-old girl, referred to as OM. The couple lived together for approximately four years. The incidents leading to the charges occurred on January 15, 2024, when OM reported inappropriate touching by Stephens to her friend and later to her mother. The allegations included Stephens exposing himself and touching OM inappropriately.

Following these disclosures, Stanton reported the incidents to the police, leading to an investigation that included a forensic interview with OM. During this interview, OM detailed several instances of inappropriate touching, which included Stephens pulling down her pants and touching her inappropriately. The state subsequently charged Stephens with first-degree rape of a child, attempted indecent liberties by forcible compulsion, and two counts of child molestation in the first degree.

The Ruling

The Washington Court of Appeals, led by Chief Judge Veljacic, reviewed the evidence presented during the trial and the arguments made by Stephens. The court ultimately affirmed the convictions, stating, "The State presented sufficient evidence that Stephens committed rape of a child in the first degree, attempted indecent liberties by forcible compulsion, and child molestation in the first degree." The court found that the jury had sufficient evidence to conclude that each offense occurred as described by OM.

Additionally, the court addressed Stephens' concerns regarding jury unanimity. It ruled that the jury instructions adequately protected his right to a unanimous verdict, as the state had clearly identified the specific acts constituting the charges against him. The court stated, "The State went on to argue that OM got confused about exactly when this incident occurred and told the jurors... But this did not imply that there were then multiple massager incidents and that the jury could rely on any one of those multiple incidents to convict Stephens on count 4."

Impact

This ruling has significant implications for child protection laws in Washington State. By upholding Stephens' convictions, the court reinforces the importance of believing and supporting child victims in sexual abuse cases. The decision also clarifies the legal standards for jury instructions and the sufficiency of evidence required for such serious charges, ensuring that similar cases will be treated with the same level of scrutiny and care.

Moreover, the court's decision to strike or modify several community custody conditions imposed on Stephens indicates a willingness to ensure that sentencing conditions are lawful and appropriate. This aspect of the ruling could potentially affect how community custody conditions are crafted in future cases, ensuring they align with legal standards.

What's Next

While Stephens' appeal was partially successful in modifying certain community custody conditions, the core convictions remain intact. Stephens could seek further review, but details regarding any potential appeal were not available in the court filing. The case underscores the ongoing challenges and complexities involved in cases of child sexual abuse and the legal processes that follow.