News flash • Redmond high school counselor arrested for Havi

A Redmond High School counselor has been arrested for allegedly having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student.

Redmond detectives became aware of the relationship between Derik Detweiler, 35, of Kenmore, and the 17-year-old girl after she came forward May 22 to Lake Washington School District staff. The school placed Detweiler on administrative leave and notified Redmond police.

An immediate and thorough investigation resulted in sufficient evidence to obtain a warrant for his arrest. Redmond detectives tracked Detweiler to Wyoming, and on May 30, local authorities arrested him without incident. He will remain detained in Wyoming pending extradition to Washington.

“We are grateful that the student had the courage to come forward because this relationship likely would have continued,” Police Chief Darrell Lowe said. “We encourage parents to talk to their children and say that if they hear or see something worrying, they should speak to a trusted adult immediately. We also remind parents to monitor their children's social media activity and report anything suspicious.

Detweiler is charged with communicating with a minor for immoral purposes, sexual misconduct with a minor in the second degree and furnishing alcohol to a minor.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with additional information about the case or other potential victims should contact the Redmond Police Department at 425-556-2500.

Additional resources can be found at the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center at 888-998-6423 or www.kcsarc.org or at the Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress at 206-744-1600 or https://depts.washington. edu /uwhatc/nos-services/#advocacy.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jill Green, Public Information Officer
[email protected]
425-229-3457