Washington State Patrol employee arrested in child rape sting
WSP officer arrested for attempted child rape
The WSP employee was arrested and appeared in court Wednesday after detectives conducted a sting operation involving the officer.
SEATTLE - A Washington State Patrol employee was arrested Tuesday morning in a sting targeting internet crimes against children.
According to Seattle Police, 27-year-old Trevor Smith went to a hotel room expecting to find two children, ages 6 and 11 years old. An SPD SWAT team was waiting inside.
Smith was booked into the King County Jail for investigation of rape of a child. A judge set bail at $150,000.
Court documents say the Internet Crimes Against Children investigation began Feb. 18. An undercover detective made contact with Smith the same day.
Over the next several days, Smith had conversations over social media and text message with an undercover detective posing as a mother of two young girls, ages 6 and 11, according to police reports.
Investigators say Smith asked to perform sexual acts on the children.
He allegedly met with the undercover detective at a restaurant in Kirkland on Feb. 23 and eventually made it to the hotel where he was arrested.
Charges have not yet been filed, which is not unusual since Smith was just arrested on Tuesday. King County prosecutors said they expected the case would be referred to their office by Friday for an independent review and case filing decision.
Washington State Patrol officials said Smith is a commercial vehicle enforcement officer assigned to the school bus enforcement program. Troopers said Smith "conducted safety inspections on school busses in a garage with no children present or near the busses during those inspections."
RELATED: Four Seattle-area men charged with trying to sexually assault children in online sting
"As parents and Washingtonians ourselves, we are shocked and deeply disappointed by these serious and significant allegations," WSP said in a prepared statement. "Working for WSP in any capacity is an honor and privilege and we are held by the public, our industry, and ourselves to the highest standards of behavior and trust. Any act that would fall beneath those standards and compromise our commitment to keeping all members of the public safe and respected is a serious betrayal of that trust."
Smith was "immediately removed from his duties," and the agency will not be involved in SPD's criminal investigation.
He is, however, being investigated for WSP policy violations.
Washington State Patrol declined to comment further.
Stay connected with Q13 News on all platforms:
DOWNLOAD: Q13 News and Weather Apps
WATCH: Q13 News Live
SUBSCRIBE: Q13 FOX on YouTube
FOLLOW: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram