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

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

Federal Way Police arrest Decatur High security guard for sexual misconduct

Man allegedly committed sexual misconduct with a female student

Federal Way Police arrested a Decatur High School security guard on allegations of sexual misconduct with a student.

At 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 8 the security officer, who is on administrative leave, came to the Federal Way Police Station with his attorney to turn himself in, according to police. He was arrested, transported and booked into the King County jail for first-degree sexual misconduct with a minor.

Sound Publishing does not name suspects until they are charged in court.

In late January, allegations of misconduct involving the male security guard were reported to Federal Way Public Schools (FWPS) staff. The district contacted the police and Child Protective Services, according to the district. The security officer was immediately placed on leave.

Information about the alleged misconduct came to light after a former student found out about a second victim, the former student previously told the Federal Way Mirror newspaper. In a phone call on Feb. 8, the former student said she was also involved with the security officer when she attended Decatur. The Mirror confirmed the former student’s identity with the Federal Way Police Department, and granted the person anonymity because of the nature of the incident.

During her sophomore year in 2019, the former student — who was 15 at the time — said the security officer helped her with school work and they talked about her home or school life, but later he allegedly began making comments about her body and legs, and was saying he wanted to have kids with her. She also claimed the employee gave her alcohol and cannabis edibles while she attended the high school.

About two years later, she said she went to Decatur to sell the security officer a pair of shoes. The former student, then 18, said the security officer closed both doors to his office and allegedly began grabbing her arm and kissing her.

On March 8, the former student learned about the security guard’s arrest.

“I felt a little bit more at ease because I thought this was kind of going to get swept under the rug. … He’s getting what he deserves,” she said.

On Wednesday, the school district was notified that police concluded their investigation and the security guard was placed under arrest, said Whitney Chiang, chief of communications and strategy for FWPS.

Chiang said the security guard remains on leave and that the district will move forward with next steps regarding his employment as the legal process related to the criminal charges progresses.

In a letter sent to families of Decatur High School students on Wednesday, the district said:

“We do not tolerate the alleged behavior in any of our staff, and this individual has not been on campus since the allegations were reported. We have fully cooperated with the police throughout their investigation.”

All FWPS staff must complete and pass a FBI and Washington State Patrol fingerprint and background check prior to employment, Chiang previously told the Mirror. Staff are also trained on appropriate behavior, boundaries and professional conduct policies.

The Federal Way Police Criminal Investigations Section continues to investigate.

• RESOURCES

Those who have concerns or general questions about this topic may contact local experts at the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center at 888-998-6423. Additional resources are also available at Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress at 206-744-1600 or depts.washington.edu/hcsats/resources.html.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website http://kowloonland.com.hk/?big=submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Northwest

Sen. Javier Valdez, D-46
Bill providing support for victims of hate crimes signed into law

Hotline to be created to report hate crimes and bias incidents; bill sponsored by state Sen. Valdez

t
Man, 66, dies in Renton crash

Police say it appears the man had a medical episode; officers identify stolen vehicle backed up in traffic

Tacos from the Mariners Food Preview Event. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Mariners unveil new ballpark eats for 2024 season

A couple of our reporters headed to T-Mobile Park to see if the Mariners’ food budget was as tight as their player free agency budget.

t
Police arrest suspect in shooting of two men in Federal Way

On March 20, officers arrested a 52-year-old Federal Way man.

Courtesy of Sound Transit
Stride Bus Rapid Transit Line on I-405 corridor.
Future Renton, Tukwila transit centers get millions in federal funding

The rapid bus transit centers are intended to help reduce congestion along the I-405 corridor.

t
Auburn Food Bank officially opens new home

$800,000 anonymous gift gives the food bank about five times as much space.

Ideal Option treatment center and lab building. (Photo courtesy of Ideal Option)
New addiction treatment center opens in Renton

Overdose deaths see record numbers in King County.

t
One dead, one injured in Federal Way shootings

Federal Way Police say they have found a connection between the two incidents.

File Photo
KC Sheriff’s Office sues over Burien encampment ban

Office of Law Enforcement Oversight director calls Burien’s ordinance “unconstitutional.”

t
Federal Way woman killed in Tukwila crash

Along State Route 599 on Monday, March 11

The state Capitol Building in Olympia. FILE PHOTO
Legislature OKs initiatives on police pursuits, income tax, parental rights

Few restrictions on police pursuits; income tax prohibited; parental rights clarified

t
Unknown vandals hit Renton apartment complex

15 vehicles damaged in Feb. 28 incident at Bella Vista apartments