Western State Hospital worker charged with rape

TACOMA — An employee at Western State Hospital pleaded not guilty to rape and sexual assault charges in Tacoma and was released on $50,000 bail.

The charges filed last week against 51-year-old Ronald Maurice Roberts involve three women — two patients and a former colleague — at the state mental hospital in Lakewood.

The hospital has placed him on paid leave from his job as a mental health technician who helps nurses.

The Tacoma News Tribune reports Roberts has worked at the hospital for 11 years. A spokeswoman, Kris Flowers, says the allegations against Roberts were quickly turned over to police.