A Redmond High School counselor, Derik Detweiler, 35, was arrested on Friday, May 31, following a report by a 17-year-old student to Lake Washington School District staff alleging a months-long romantic relationship with the counselor, wrote Redmond Detective Marshall Tolbert in the court documents.
Since the student told staff on May 22, Detweiler, of Kenmore, has been charged with communication with a minor for immoral purposes, sexual misconduct with a minor in the second degree and providing liquor to a minor, according to the charging documents filed by King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion.
After finding sufficient evidence to secure a warrant for his arrest, Redmond detectives located Detweiler in Wyoming — where he traveled after being put on administrative leave on May 22, wrote the city of Redmond in a news release.
Law enforcement took Detweiler into custody in Wyoming on May 30, where he remains awaiting his extradition to Washington.
Throughout the relationship, the student and former counselor exchanged over 5,000 messages, including voice and video calls, text messages, pictures and videos through an application called WhatsApp — several of Detweiler’s messages included sexual remarks, according to court documentation of the text messages.
The student told police the two met in person around 12 to 13 times, including going on walks, car rides and dinners at Detweiler’s house. Eventually, Detweiler became too much, going as far as making sexual advances and showing off his pistols.
“Student said Detweiler told her if she ever left him, he would kill himself with the guns,” according to a report by Tolbert.
The charging documents noted Detweiler gave the student a key to his apartment as a gift.
Prosecutors requested the King County Superior Court to set bail at $500,000 due to Detweiler’s, “predatory acts of sexual abuse while in a position of trust over minors, coupled with the defendant’s statements of suicidal harm, access to firearms and flight from this jurisdiction.”
In a statement, Redmond Police Chief Darrell Lowe commended the student for having the courage to come forward and reminded parents to check in with their children.
“We encourage parents to have conversations with their children that if they hear or see something concerning, they should tell a trusted adult immediately. We also remind parents to monitor their children’s social media activity and report anything suspicious,” he wrote.
In a news release, Lake Washington School District (LWSD) wrote they have fully cooperated with RPD throughout the investigation and take the protection of students very seriously.
“Student health, safety, and welfare remain LWSD’s paramount concern throughout this process,” wrote Superintendent Jon Holmen. “LWSD will continue to take appropriate actions to fulfill that goal.”
While the district intends to refrain from further comments to uphold student confidentiality, they urge anyone with additional information to call RPD at 425-556-2500.
