Police arrest suspected child molester at Newport Library
Douglas Sokell, 69, Forest Grove in Library Parking Lot
Newport Police Officers responded to the Newport Public Library on a report of an older man sexually harassing a young girl. Douglas Sokell, age 69 of Forest Grovewas identified as the suspect. An employee witnessed Sokell inappropriately touch a the female aged 7, and alerted other patrons of the library as to what she had observed. She told the patrons the suspect was leaving the library, and asked them keep him from doing so. Two citizens stopped Sokell, keeping him at the library until the Newport Police Officers arrived. Through the investigation it was learned that Sokell had touched the young girl inappropriately after asking her to help him find a book he wanted to get for a girl about the same age as the victim. The victim suffered no physical injuries.
Sokell was taken into custody for Sex Abuse I, and Harassment. He was lodged at the Lincoln County Jail with bail set at $115,000.
