Decatur High School in Federal Way. COURTESY PHOTO, Federal Way Public Schools

Decatur High School in Federal Way. COURTESY PHOTO, Federal Way Public Schools

Decatur High security guard pleads not guilty to sexual misconduct charge

Man allegedly had sex with 17-year-old female student

The Decatur High School security guard who was charged with sexual misconduct with a student has pleaded not guilty and is now scheduled for trial in June.

Derek Aparis, 46, is accused of having sex with a 17-year-old female student at the Federal Way school last winter.

Sexual misconduct with a minor applies if the defendant is a school employee, like Aparis, and the victim is a student of the school and is between the ages of 16 and 20.

Aparis’ arraignment — the hearing in which charges are formally read to a defendant — was March 30. He entered a plea of not guilty. His trial is set to begin June 20, although trial dates frequently change in criminal courts as attorneys review evidence and prepare their cases.

The Federal Way Mirror newspaper reached out to Aparis through his attorney for comment, but did not hear back.

Aparis is on leave from the school district.

• If a student you know has had inappropriate interactions with Aparis, or if they witnessed such behavior, contact Federal Way Police Detective Richard Adams at 253-835-6795 or Richard.adams@cityoffederalway.com. For any Federal Way Public Schools-related questions or concerns, contact Diane Ellis at 253-945-2049.




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