Bellingham police arrest man suspected of lying about age, raping a teenager
Bellingham Police arrested a man suspected of lying about his age and using force to sexually assault a teenager.
Johnathan D.W.L. Alex, 24, was booked into Whatcom County Jail Friday, April 22, on suspicion of second-degree rape (compulsive force), third-degree child rape and third-degree child molestation.
Police took a report April 5 on several alleged crimes committed by Alex, including that he had given false information about his age to the teenage victim and had engaged in unlawful sexual activity with the victim, Lt. Murphy told The Bellingham Herald in an email.
During several meetings between Alex and the victim, Alex reportedly touched or engaged in sexual activity with the victim, Murphy reported, and he used forcible compulsion to rape the victim.
Police located Alex in a hotel in the 100 block of North Samish Way on Friday, located which room he was in and arrested him without incident, according to Murphy.
“Alex has a rape of a child arrest history,” Murphy wrote.
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.
