Redmond High School counselor arrested for alleged relationship with student

REDMOND, Washington — A Redmond High School counselor was arrested for allegedly having an inappropriate relationship with a student, the Redmond Police Department (RPD) announced in a news release Friday.

RPD said Derik Detweiler, 35, of Kenmore, was taken into custody without incident in Cody, Wyoming, Thursday evening. Detweiler will remain in custody until his extradition to Washington. Police have not said what Detweiler's connection is to Wyoming or how they were able to find him there.

The King County Prosecutor's Office charged Detweiler with communicating with a minor for immoral purposes, sexual misconduct with a minor in the second degree and furnishing alcohol to a minor. It is not yet known when Detweiler will return to King County to face his charges. Police told KOMO News Friday they are dependent on the extradition process in Wyoming.

“We are grateful that the student had the courage to come forward because this relationship likely would have continued,” said Redmond Police Chief Darrell Lowe. “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 has been on administrative leave from her job with the Lake Washington School District since May 22, when the 17-year-old victim came forward with the allegations, telling school officials she had an “ongoing romantic relationship” with Detweiler, according to court documents. .

Court records indicate the inappropriate relationship had been going on for months and the two were communicating via WhatsApp. According to court documents, the two exchanged more than 5,000 text messages, videos, photos, phone calls and video calls during that time. After reviewing the messages, school officials immediately placed Detweiler on leave and notified police.

Court documents detail alleged messages Detweiler sent to the student, saying, “I could kiss you forever” and “More than ever.” I want you in my bed, my hands on your body. You sleep soundly in my arms.

“Detweiler's authoritarian affection for the student became too strong. At one point, Detweiler offered the student a key to his apartment,” court documents state.

The student told police she and Detweiler met about a dozen times, walking, eating dinner at his house and getting in his car. She also told police that Detweiler displayed his weapons at his home and showed her how to load and unload the guns.

“Detweiler told her that if she ever left him, he would kill himself with his guns,” court documents state.

The student also told police that they had dinner at Detweiler's home on May 20 and that he served her several glasses of wine until she felt drunk, then he began to drink her. kissing him, making other sexual advances toward him.

According to court documents, communication between the two began on March 29 and continued until the student blocked Detweiler on May 22 and reported the inappropriate interactions to school officials. At some point after the report was made on May 22 and Detweiler was placed on administrative leave, police learned that Detweiler had fled the state before law enforcement could contact him.

Police say the school district immediately notified them and they began investigating. Redmond Police Public Information Officer Jill Green told KOMO News that all the evidence supports probable cause for the charges.

Neighbors of Detweiler's Kenmore home told KOMO News that several Redmond police officers were also there Thursday looking for him.

In a statement Friday, the district said it was cooperating with the police investigation.

“The Lake Washington School District takes the protection of students very seriously,” Superintendent Dr. Jon Holmen said in a statement. “At this time, we will make no further comment out of respect for student confidentiality and the integrity of the investigative process.” The health, safety, and well-being of students remains LWSD’s primary concern throughout this process. LWSD will continue to take appropriate measures to achieve this goal.

King County prosecutors asked that bail be set at $500,000. Detweiler is due in court on June 13.

It is not yet known if there are any additional victims, but police are asking anyone with additional information or other potential victims to contact the Redmond Police Department at 425-556-2500.

Police also shared additional resources available at the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center at 888-998-6423 or the Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress at 206-744-1600.