LYNNWOOD — A local man with a lengthy sex crimes history is headed back to prison.
On Dec. 12, Snohomish County Superior Court Judge George Appel sentenced Jeffrey Cook to 1½ years in prison for indecent exposure at a Lynnwood thrift store.
In December of last year, Cook, 56, was released from custody after serving time for second-degree child molestation. In that case, Cook touched a girl at 99 Ranch Market in Edmonds in 2018. He had also been caught sexually harassing multiple other young girls in public in the couple years prior, according to court documents.
He also twice committed child molestation in Georgia in 1997 and 1998.
This most recent case stems from Cook’s conduct on July 24.
Cook was on probation from the 99 Ranch Market case when he walked into the Bella’s Voice Thrift Store at 17633 Highway 99, according to charging papers.
At the thrift store, he followed a woman, 23, to the book aisle, according to the charges. She noticed him standing next to her breathing heavily. She thought he may be having a medical emergency.
However, the woman noticed Cook was touching himself through his pants pocket. The woman reportedly told the store manager and filed a report with police. By the time officers arrived, Cook had left.
A week later, Cook returned. The manager recognized him and notified police.
In November, the defendant pleaded guilty to indecent exposure, a felony. Under state sentencing guidelines. he faced one to two years in prison. Prosecutors recommended 1½ years.
In a letter to the judge, Cook wrote “I know what I did was wrong. I am just not in full control of myself when I make these choices.” Court records list addresses for Cook in North Bend and Mountlake Terrace.
In another letter, the victim in the case wrote, “Sexual assault needs not to be emotionally scarring or involve physical violence to warrant severe legal repercussions.”
“Women from all walks of life deserve to feel safe in public, no matter where they are.”
Jake Goldstein-Street: 425-339-3439; jake.goldstein-street@heraldnet.com; X: @GoldsteinStreet.
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