Convicted Whatcom County sex offender pleads guilty in another child sex offense case
A convicted Whatcom County sex offender has pleaded guilty in another child sexual assault case.
Robert Paul Olson, 32, of Maple Falls pleaded guilty Wednesday, March 23, in Whatcom County Superior Court to one count of second-degree child molestation and one count of failure to register as a sex offender, a felony.
Olson’s guilty pleas were part of a plea agreement that resolved two of his cases from 2018 — one in which he was charged with first-degree child molestation and another where he was charged with failing to register as a sex offender.
Olson’s sentencing for both cases has been tentatively scheduled for May 5, 2022.
In September 2017, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by family members of an 11-year-old girl they suspected was being molested by Olson, but probable cause was not able to be found, according to court records.
In January 2018, the child and a family member ran into a para-educator and the family member told the para-educator they suspected Olson was abusing the girl.
The family member told the para-educator they had Facebook messages between Olson and the child that proved Olson was sexually assaulting the girl, the court records state.
The para-educator reported the suspected abuse to Child Protective Services and the sheriff’s office was assigned the case.
The child disclosed to law enforcement that Olson had sexually assaulted her and Facebook messages between the child and Olson showed that they would message and Olson had offered to get her alcohol and marijuana, the court records state.
Olson was previously convicted in 2014 of sexually assaulting another 11-year-old child in 2009/2010. Court records show Olson was given an exceptional sentence below the standard range of one month in jail, with credit for 27 days served at Western State Hospital during the time of his case.
Olson was also later convicted of failing to register as a sex offender in 2017 and given 18 days in jail, according to court records.
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.
▪ Brigid Collins Family Support Center: 360-734-4616, brigidcollins.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/.
This story was originally published March 27, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
