Whatcom man suspected of grooming teen for 3 years before sexually assaulting her
A 33-year-old Blaine man is suspected of using social media to groom a teenage girl he was familiar with over the course of approximately three years before he sexually assaulted her when she was 16.
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office booked Michael R. Chandra into Whatcom County Jail Thursday, May 7, on suspicion of third-degree child rape and third-degree child molestation.
Chandra’s arrest came following a several month investigation by detectives after the victim reported last fall that she had been sexually assaulted, according to information provided to The Bellingham Herald in an email from Chief Deputy Kevin Hester.
The victim told investigators that Chandra had groomed her over several years, beginning when she was 13, according to Hester. There were reportedly several instances in which Chandra use “catfishing” techniques, where he would pose as different boys on social media websites.
Eventually, this led to him sexually assaulting the victim, Hester reported.
Detectives backtracked and obtained media and data from social media sites, as well as computer and phone forensic information, to match Chandra to the fake accounts, according to Hester.
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/.
▪ Brigid Collins Family Support Center: 360-734-4616, brigidcollins.org.
