SEATTLE (AP) - A Washington State Patrol employee has been arrested in a sting operation after showing up at a hotel room where he expected to find two children but was instead met by a SWAT team, authorities said.
The Seattle Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children unit arrested the employee, identified by the King County Prosecutor’s office as 27-year-old Trevor J. Smith, on allegations of attempted child rape.
The Seattle Times reported that prosecutors said, based on information provided by State Patrol, that the man worked as a commercial vehicle enforcement officer assigned to the school bus inspection program. No children were present when he conducted safety inspections on the buses.
Jail records show he was booked into the King County jail on Tuesday night. He has not been charged. Prosecutors said bail was set at $150,000. It wasn’t immediately clear if Smith had an attorney.
A probable cause statement said the employee responded to an ad placed by a female undercover officer on Feb. 18.
The man, believing he was trading graphic messages with the mother of two girls, ages 6 and 11, met the undercover officer for dinner in Kirkland before allegedly buying condoms and meeting her at a hotel, the statement said.
Washington State Patrol Sgt. Darren Wright said the employee was removed from his duties and will face an administrative investigation.
“As parents and Washingtonians ourselves, we are shocked and deeply disappointed by these serious and significant allegations,” Wright said. “To ensure a fair and transparent process, WSP cannot and will not be involved in the investigation, and will defer any inquiries about the investigation to the Seattle Police Department.”
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