Whatcom man suspected of assaulting and raping woman, even while police were outside
A Whatcom County man is suspected of pushing, slapping, choking and whipping a woman he is familiar with and using physical force to rape her, even while police tried to get somebody to answer the door.
The Ferndale Police Department booked Michael Allen York, 29, into Whatcom County Jail on Aug. 12, and jail records show he was released on $50,000 bail Aug. 17.
The Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged him Aug. 17 with two counts of second-degree rape (forcible compulsion) and one count each of second-degree assault (strangulation) and fourth-degree assault.
Police were initially called to the victim’s residence Aug. 11 for a possible domestic violence assault reported by the victim’s parents after they received a phone call from the victim, Ferndale Police Chief Kevin Turner told The Bellingham Herald in an email.
“Ferndale Police officers made several attempts to contact the daughter, but she would not answer the door or her phone,” Turner wrote. “At one point a female matching the description of the daughter, opened the curtains and looked out at officers but then turned off the lights and refused to respond. The woman did not look frightened, did not show signs of distress, nor did she make any indication that she needed help.”
Though the officers did not have legal reason to enter the home, Turner reported the responding officers requested the next shift continue to check on the victim’s welfare and attempted to reconnect with her parents to find other locations police might be able to speak to the victim.
A day later, the victim went to the Ferndale Police Department to report the alleged attack, court documents state, saying that York bit her hard on the shoulder, causing an argument and her to leave and go to another room. The victim told police York kicked a hole in the door, grabbed her hair, threw her on the ground, pushed and slapped her several times, forced the victim into sexual acts and choked her.
The victim reported she attempted to wave at police through a bathroom window, according to court documents, but she had to leave the window when York entered and raped her. York also reportedly whipped the victim with a belt.
Police reported the victim had injuries consistent with the attack she reported, documents state.
After connecting the victim with Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault of Services of Whatcom County, Turner reported that officers arrested York and booked him into jail.
“I believe our officers went over and above to keep checking on this situation,” Turner wrote. “It involved several officers over multiple shifts along with follow up.”
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/.
This story was originally published August 24, 2022 at 4:57 PM.
