Orting School Board member resigns after Jan. 6 riot charges
Oct 20, 2022, 4:13 AM | Updated: 9:05 am
Pro-Trump supporters storm the U.S. Capitol following a rally with President Donald Trump on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. Trump supporters gathered in the nation's capital today to protest the ratification of President-elect Joe Biden's Electoral College victory over President Trump in the 2020 election. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)
(Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)
The Orting School Board member who was arrested and charged in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol building has resigned from his position on the board.
Richard Slaughter, 40, and his stepson, Caden Paul Gottfried, aged 20, were both charged in Tacoma federal court Oct. 11 with numerous felony and misdemeanor counts, including assaulting police officers.
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A statement from the U.S. Justice Dept. says specifically, Slaughter and Gottfried were charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement officers using a deadly or dangerous weapon, interfering with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder, and other felony and misdemeanor offenses.
In the investigation, it was revealed that Slaughter used a long pole to attack officers in the tunnel area leading into the Capitol building and handed chemical spray to another person in the crowd.
A statement posted by Orting School Board President Carrie Thibodeaux Oct. 20, says Slaughter’s resignation is effective immediately. She and other Board members plan to address the matter at their regularly scheduled Thursday board meeting. Thibodeaux writes Slaughter decided to step down out of love for his family.
“As a Board, we remain committed to transparency and open communication lines between the District and the local community. While we appreciate Rick’s service to the District, we are also saddened by the hurt and frustration recent events have caused. This community, our schools, staff, and students will continue to be at the heart of what we do while building your trust and confidence,” Thibodeaux wrote in the school board’s statement.
On Oct. 13, the District released a previous statement acknowledging Slaughter’s arrest but did not mention whether he would remain on the board.
They wrote, “Director Slaughter’s alleged individual actions do not reflect the Orting School District’s Board of Directors’ mission or core values, nor will it deter the Board or District from its (sic) commitment to providing quality education.”
The School Board plans to announce the process for filling Slaughter’s school board seat in the coming days.
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