Whatcom man suspected of raping middle school-aged girl he met chatting online
A 20-year-old Whatcom County man is suspected of raping a middle school-aged girl he reportedly met and had sexually-related conversations with online.
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office booked Steven James Moreau into Whatcom County Jail Tuesday, Feb. 1, on suspicion of second-degree rape and communicating with a minor for immoral purposes. Jail records show he was released on $5,000 bail on Wednesday.
Lummi Nation Police officers responded Dec. 4 to the report of a sex crime and spoke to the victim’s parents, who told police that her father found their 13-year-old daughter having intercourse with Moreau in his Ford Escort, Whatcom County Superior Court documents state. The father reported he told Moreau to leave and punched out a window on the Escort as Moreau sped away.
The victim told police that she had developed a relationship with Moreau through Facebook Messenger, documents state. She also reported that she had not previously met Moreau in person, but that she invited him over with the intent of having intercourse with him in his car.
The case was forwarded to the sheriff’s office on Jan. 27, and deputies soon met with Moreau. During that meeting, Moreau told investigators that he had the impression the victim was in college, documents state.
Deputies later met with the victim and her mother, according to documents, and during that meeting, the victim said Moreau knew her age, because she had told him that her 14th birthday was approaching, and she said she knew he was 20.
The victim also reported that she and Moreau had been communicating for a few months and that they would on occasion have Facetime sexual video conversations and exchange nude photos of each other.
Court records show Moreau is scheduled to be arraigned April 22.
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.
