Oregon man pleads not guilty to raping child in Whatcom County
A former Blaine resident has been charged with three counts of child rape for crimes he allegedly committed while living in Whatcom County.
Shaun Gordon Conley, 46, appeared in the Whatcom County Jail courtroom on Monday evening after being extradited from Washington County, Oregon.
Court records show that a teen in Chelan County told police in November that Conley sexually assaulted them multiple times about six years ago while they lived in Whatcom County. The case was then transferred to the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.
A warrant was issued mAY 13 for Conley’s arrest, and he was taken into custody in Oregon on May 29. He was transferred and booked into the Whatcom County Jail on Thursday.
During his first appearance Monday, his attorney raised concerns about the timeliness of the arraignment. She also brought up issues with accessibility in the jail in asking for a lower bail for Conley, who uses a wheelchair.
The state asked for Conley to be held on $250,000 bail, and the court agreed. The commissioner cited concerns about Conley appearing for future court proceedings.
Conley pleaded not guilty to all three counts of first-degree rape of a child. He remains in custody as of Tuesday.
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.