Lynden man suspected of raping woman he knew while she slept at friend’s house
A 20-year-old Lynden man is suspected of sexually assaulting a woman he is familiar with while she slept at a friend’s house earlier this month.
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, March 11, booked Jacob Andrew Hommes into Whatcom County Jail on suspicion of second-degree rape. Jail records show Hommes was released on $10,000 bail later that day.
On March 6, the victim went to stay at her friend’s house, and Hommes was also arrived there, according to Whatcom County Superior Court documents. They hung out before going to sleep in different rooms.
At approximately 5:30 a.m. the victim awoke with someone in the bed next to her and assaulting her, documents state. The victim later told investigators she pretended to be asleep during the assault and saw Hommes’ car leave the driveway shortly after the assault had concluded.
Later that day, the victim called Hommes and confronted him in a public place, and Hommes admitted that he had sexually assaulted her earlier that morning, documents state. The victim reportedly audio recorded the meeting.
The victim reported the assault to the sheriff’s office on March 9 and gave investigators audio recording and screenshots of three text messages from Hommes, including one in which Hommes said what he did “was not right,” court documents state.
Resources
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, you can contact the following local resources for free, confidential support:
▪ Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services: 24-hour Help Line: 360-715-1563, Email: info@dvsas.org.
▪ Lummi Victims of Crime: 360-312-2015.
▪ Bellingham Police: You can call anonymously at 360-778-8611, or go online at cob.org/tips.
▪ WWU Consultation and Sexual Assault Support Survivor Advocacy Services: 360-650-3700 or wp.wwu.edu/sexualviolence/.
