Bellingham man suspected of raping one teen, assaulting two others to force sexual contact
An 18-year-old Bellingham man is suspected of raping a teen and assaulting two others in an effort to force sexual contact in separate incidents last fall.
The Bellingham Police Department booked Rethabile Alex Breeding into Whatcom County Jail Thursday, March 10, and jail records show he was released later that day on $25,000 bail.
Whatcom County Superior Court documents show a warrant was issued for his arrest Wednesday, March 9, after he was charged with second-degree rape, two counts of second-degree assault with sexual motivation and three counts of fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation.
Police responded to St. Joseph’s hospital in Bellingham on Nov. 29 for the report of a sexual assault of a teenage victim, documents state.
The victim reported that on Nov. 27, they had been at Waypoint Park with Breeding and two other friends for a few hours, documents state. While there, the victim and Breeding were kissing and hugging and the victim reportedly told Breeding that was all they were comfortable with.
The four later left to attend a party at WWU, with the victim and Breeding in the back seat of the car, according to documents. The victim reported that Breeding bit their neck and then put his hands around the victim’s throat, preventing them from breathing to try to get the victim to kiss him. The victim also reported that Breeding groped and touched the victim inappropriately before they got to the party and the victim exited the car to get away.
Law enforcement also learned that after the party, the group returned to one of the teen’s apartments, documents state. Police learned that when a second victim and Breeding were alone, Breeding began making sexual advances toward her. The victim reportedly told him no and pushed her away, before his continued pressure persuaded her.
The victim told police that when the sexual contact became painful, she told Breeding to stop, and she had to physically push Breeding off to make him stop, court documents state. But Breeding reportedly tried to resume sexual contact, forcing the victim to run to safety in the bathroom.
Additionally, on Jan. 27, police were called to take the report of another sexual assault that had reportedly occurred in October of 2021, documents state. That victim in that incident reported watching a movie with Breeding and other friends and that Breeding began touching her inappropriately under a blanket against her wishes, documents state. The victim also reported that once the other friends left the room, Breeding grabbed her by the throat hard enough that her head got pushed up against the wall behind the couch and began kissing her until the victim could stand up and get away.
Court records show Breeding is scheduled to be arraigned March 25.
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/.
