Bellingham man allegedly had sexual conversations with child he mentored over Instagram
A Bellingham man is suspected of having conversations that were sexual in nature over Instagram with a child he was mentoring.
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office booked Darin Alan Wines, 50, into Whatcom County Jail Friday, Nov. 5, on suspicion of communicating with a minor for immoral purposes. He was released later Friday, jail records show.
Deputies spoke to the victim in May, and she revealed that she began communicating with Wines in January so that he could provide mentorship toward a possible career, Whatcom County Superior Court documents show. Communication began over text, but soon moved to Instagram messaging.
As the communication continued, the victim reported that she noticed veiled immature references and sexual innuendo from Wines, court documents state, and at one point he asked the victim to send nude photos. The victim reported she then began saving their message threads once she noticed.
The victim broke off communication with Wines, according to documents, but after about two weeks Wines checked back in on the victim and again began sending messages that were sexual in nature.
The victim reported she had no sexual meetings with Wines and that he had not sent photos of himself to her, according to documents.
The victim provided deputies with screen shots of her conversations with Wines, which were confirmed to be sexual in nature, 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.
▪ Tl’ils Ta’á’altha Victims of Crime: 360-325-3310 or nooksacktribe.org/departments/youth-family-services/tlils-taaaltha-victims-of-crime-program/
▪ 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.
