On Tuesday, the Seattle Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Squad arrested a Washington State Patrol employee in Kirkland for investigation of rape of a child.
Detectives arrested the 27-year-old suspect after he entered a hotel room, expecting to find two children inside, but was instead met by an SPD SWAT team. Police booked him into the King County Jail for investigation of rape of a child.
Below is the Washington State Patrol’s statement on the arrest:
Kirkland – WSP has been advised that one of our employees has been arrested and charged with two counts of attempted child rape. As parents and Washingtonians ourselves, we are shocked and deeply disappointed by these serious and significant allegations. To ensure a fair and transparent process, WSP cannot and will not be involved in the investigation, and will defer any inquiries about the investigation to Seattle Police Department.
Per policy, the employee was immediately removed from his duties and will be investigated administratively for policy violations and appropriate personnel action. Working for WSP in any capacity is an honor and privilege and we are held by the public, our industry, and ourselves to the highest standards of behavior and trust. Any act that would fall beneath those standards and compromise our commitment to keeping all members of the public safe and respected is a serious betrayal of that trust.
We must now allow the judicial process to move forward which includes respect for the needs and rights of victims, the investigative agencies, the courts, and accused persons until final determination of guilt or innocence. Accordingly, we will have no further comment until the matter is adjudicated.