Tri-Cities judge Charged With Assaulting Ex-Wife

RICHLAND, Wash. (AP) – A Tri-Cities judge has been charged with domestic violence assault. The Tri-City Herald reports Benton-Franklin Superior Court Judge Sam Swanberg was cited with two counts of fourth-degree assault domestic violence in Franklin County District Court.

He’s scheduled to enter a plea to the charges on Feb. 8.

A temporary protection order for his ex-wife is in place until then.

Swanberg’s attorney Scott Johnson said Swanberg will enter a not guilty plea to the charges.

Swanberg has been removed from presiding over Superior Court administrative issues and will not be assigned to any cases while the case proceeds.

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