Lynden man arrested on suspicion of raping, exploiting minor
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a 19-year-old Lynden man who is accused of sexually assaulting a minor.
WSCO spokesperson Deb Slater said deputies were contacted Saturday by a minor who said they were assaulted twice by the same man. They said the man messaged them on Instagram three weeks earlier, and that they met up with him out of fear that if they didn’t, he would hurt them.
The man also threatened violence if the minor didn’t send him explicit photos, Slater said.
Police arrested the man at his Lynden home Sunday. He was taken into custody on suspicion of two counts of second-degree rape, sexual exploitation of a minor, communication with a minor for immoral purposes and harassment. He had not yet been formally charged as of Monday morning.
Resources
▪ Brigid Collins Family Support Center: 360-734-4616, brigidcollins.org. Brigid Collins Family Support Center professionals are on call between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday to answer questions about children, families, abuse prevention or treatment at (360) 734-4616.
▪ Child Protective Services: Washington state hot line for reporting child abuse and neglect, 866-829-2153.
▪ 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 report sexual assault 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.