Attempted child molestation charges dropped against Ferndale officer
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - A Whatcom County judge ruled in favor of dropping charges against a Ferndale police officer who was charged with attempted child molestation.
At the end July, the 46-year-old officer was charged in Whatcom County Superior Court with one count of attempted second-degree child molestation, a felony. Langton made his first appearance in person in court Thursday, the Bellingham Herald reported.
When the officer was arrested, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Ben Pratt said law enforcement were searching his electronic.
Pratt also said there are allegations that once Langton became aware he was being placed on leave, law enforcement saw Langton start a fire and burn some documents. One of Langton’s phones seized by law enforcement was also factory reset before it was seized, he said.
"We are concerned that there was some potential evidence destruction," Pratt said in July. "Those two facts cause us great concern."
It's unclear if this was a factor in the charges being dropped.
Langton’s lawyer, Emily Beschen, said in July that he has been an upstanding citizen and law enforcement officer for nearly 20 years and has no criminal history, so should be released.
When charges were dropped on Feb. 6, Beschen issued the following statement:
"This allegation has been devastating to Langton, and his family. We are thankful that Whatcom County was willing to take a close look at the evidence and ultimately made the right decision to dismiss this charge in the interest of justice. Over the past 5 years, the number of police officers charged with crimes has increased. Police officers are no more immune from false allegations than anyone else.
Langton has committed his life to serving others. He is a proud military vet. Langton served and protected individuals in Whatcom County as a law enforcement officer for over a decade. He has served as a detective in the gang & drug task force, was awarded the Silver Cross medal for his apprehension of a domestic violence perpetrator, and was voted ‘Patrol Officer of the Year’ for 2020-2021."
Statement from Michael Scott Langton:
"This process has been extremely painful for both me and my family. I am grateful to have this chapter of my life behind me and this criminal case closed. I want to thank my friends, family, and co-workers who stood behind me and offered support through this nightmare, as well as the guild attorney, Seth Davis, and attorney Emily Beschen."
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Langton, who has been with the Ferndale Police Department since 2012, was arrested Tuesday at his home and placed on paid administrative leave.