SPD detective arrested for alleged ID theft, cyber-stalking of woman

SEATTLE -- It all started last Wednesday, July 17.

The detective involved is a 17-year veteran: David Blackmer is his name and, if charged and convicted, he could lose his career and spend time behind bars.

Police say a woman walked into the Seattle Police Department's Office of Professional Accountability and filed a complaint against Blackmer.

The two had apparently been in a romantic, intimate relationship until she found out he was married.

After a confrontation, the relationship ended. Blackmer then allegedly created a Facebook page that looked like hers and posted salacious photos of her for the world to see.

"She was concerned about this Facebook page that was made to look like hers.  She was concerned about what this would do to her reputation. There was information presented on this phony account that would cause any reasonable person fear,” Seattle police Sgt. Sean Whitcomb said.

After less than a week, Blackmer, of Everett, was arrested Thursday morning in Snohomish County on investigation of cyber-stalking, domestic violence and identity theft.

So exactly what is cyber stalking?

"These electronic communications contain lewd, obscene images or words and/or imply lewd or obscene conduct,” UW associate law professor Mary Fan said.

Fan said the trouble for the detective could be just beginning. Along with the criminal part of the case, she believes, civil action could follow thanks to a new law signed by former Gov. Christine Gregoire.

"Where someone abuses, basically, or misuses online sites like Craigslist and Facebook to intimidate, to hurt, to harass, the idea is, if there is a harm, let's give the victim a way to seek damages,” Fan said.

But the criminal side will likely come first and SPD is confident about its case against the detective.

"We have a strong case and this is not what anyone ever wants to do, which is investigating your own colleague, but that is what we're paid to do,” Whitcomb said.

Blackmer has been placed on paid administrative leave, which is routine, but if he is charged with a felony, that administrative leave will become unpaid, pending the outcome of the legal case.

On Friday, Blackmer appeared in court and was ordered to a drug and alcohol treatment center in Florida for 30 days. He is not allowed to have contact with the victim or operate any electronics.