Sheriff's deputy pleads not guilty in alleged assault of teen

A King County sheriff's's deputy pleaded not guilty this morning to fourth-degree assault in connection with the alleged assault on a teen girl who was arrested in November.

Paul Schene, 31, of Auburn, is accused of assaulting the 15-year-old girl in a holding facility at SeaTac City Hall.

A King County Superior Court judge ordered Schene released on personal recognizance during this morning's arraignment on the misdemeanor charge.

Two deputies arrested two 15-year-old girls on suspicion of auto theft early Nov. 29 after they were stopped driving a stolen car. The girls were taken to the holding facility for fingerprinting.

While she was being held, the alleged victim kicked off one of her shoes, and it struck the deputy in the shin, injuring him, the deputy said in his report. Prosecutors allege Schene then kicked the girl in the stomach, slammed her against a wall and pulled her hair.

The incident was captured by security cameras.

The girl then complained of breathing difficulties. An aid car was called, but paramedics concluded the girl did not need treatment.

The deputy used "more force than necessary as far as prosecutors are concerned and as far as we're concerned," sheriff's spokesman John Urquhart said earlier this month.

The day after the incident another detective at another work site was assigned to investigate the alleged assault by the deputy. Schene was placed on paid administrative leave later that day.

He remains on leave.

A sheriff's spokesman said an internal-investigations-unit review would determine discipline for the deputy, who could be terminated if it's determined an attack occurred.

Information from Seattle Times archives is included in this report.

Sharon Pian Chan: 206-464-2958 or schan@seattletimes.com.