LYNNWOOD — A Lynnwood man is accused of raping as many as 10 women he met through drug and alcohol recovery groups.
Police allege the man preyed on those who were vulnerable because of their addictions, including the newly sober. He reportedly offered to let women stay at his house when they were detoxing or worried about relapsing.
Several of the women say that before the attacks, they had told him about sexual violence they experienced in their pasts, and how that contributed to their substance abuse. Some said they relapsed after being raped again.
The man, 32, often led meetings for Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous, according to the arrest report.
He was booked Wednesday into the Snohomish County Jail. He is being held on suspicion of one count of second-degree rape and three counts of third-degree rape.
Prosecutors Thursday said there could be more victims who have not yet come forward. A judge set bail at $250,000.
The women became aware of one another after someone posted about the suspect on Facebook, records show. Police were contacted Feb. 27.
One woman said the man often was asked to speak at AA meetings. She said he “appeared to be very spiritual and had an impressive story of sobriety.” In spring 2014, he made sexual advances and ignored her when she told him to stop, she said.
Another woman said the suspect admitted to her that he’d raped her in September when she was passed out from heroin and pills. She also alleged that he raped her again in January and February, and that she had looked for reasons to blame herself for what happened. She said the suspect told her she had “sex issues” because she didn’t enjoy what he did.
A third woman made clear to police that AA recommends newly sober women be paired with female mentors. Despite that recommendation, the suspect often insisted on helping women new to the group, she said. She said that the suspect had tried to rape her but was dissuaded because she carries a firearm.
A fourth woman said she and the suspect had met through AA when she was a minor. They dated and later broke up. In September, she relapsed and went to his house for support, she said. She said he tried to rape her but she escaped when she asked to go outside to smoke a cigarette.
A fifth women told detectives she was raped by the suspect but she was worried that people in her life would find out if she made a report.
Police went to the man’s house Wednesday morning. He claimed the allegations were retribution for him stealing another man’s girlfriend.
At least three of the women have said he texted them or sent them Facebook messages apologizing after the assaults. Some of those messages have been shared with police.
In one message, a woman texted the man, “I said ‘no’ several times and you never stopped. I was hurting. I needed a friend. You made me feel like an (expletive) object.”
His alleged response was: “Like I said I owe you an amends if you are willing to here(sic) it.”
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @rikkiking.
Help and support
Lynnwood police are asking for anyone who may have been a victim in this case to contact 425-670-5600 and ask for detective Jackie Arnett.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, the Providence Intervention Center for Assault and Abuse offers services and support at 425-297-5774. There also is a 24-hour crisis line: 425-252-4800. Mental health, medical support and advocacy are available for all victims and their families. Services are free and confidential. More info: washington.providence.org/hospitals/regional-medical-center/services/assault-abuse
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