Former assistant principal at Seattle K-8 school charged for allegedly soliciting sex from minor
Dec 11, 2024, 1:52 PM | Updated: 6:42 pm
According to the Renton Police Department, Alex Díaz Rios, a former assistant principal at Seattle Public Schools, was among those arrested in a sex sting. (Image courtesy of KIRO 7)
(Image courtesy of KIRO 7)
The Renton Police Department (RPD) announced the arrest of seven men following an undercover child sex trafficking operation. It happened back in September. However, one of those individuals worked at a local kindergarten through 8th grade school.
Renton detectives posed as underage boys and girls online and were approached by “dozens of men” looking to pay for sex with kids.
“They do an age regression photo and they pose as a child,” Meeghan Black with RPD told KIRO Newsradio Wednesday. “They are very clear in their communication with these individuals that they are underage. They disclose they are 15, 16-years-old. The suspect then knowingly attempts to purchase sex with this child.”
Other news: Federal Way crime data shows drug arrests skyrocketed more than 400% this year
Among those arrested was 29-year-old Alex Díaz Rios. Until his arrest, Díaz Rios was assistant principal at TOPS K-8 in Seattle’s Eastlake neighborhood.
Former assistant Seattle principal allegedly agrees to pay for sex with teen
Police said Díaz Rios communicated extensively with an undercover detective he thought was a 15-year-old boy and agreed to meet at a hotel to pay for sex. However, on the night they were supposed to meet, Díaz Rios didn’t show up. Therefore, he was arrested and charged with a gross misdemeanor.
“He did not arrive at the hotel but made enough contact that there was enough evidence to charge him with soliciting prostitution,” Black explained.
Renton Police Deputy Chief Ryan Rutledge added that although it was disclosed the user was a 15-year-old boy, officers did not have enough evidence for a felony charge. However, they did have probable cause for a misdemeanor solicitation of prostitution.
“He basically said an expletive because he knew he was going to jail,” Black said.
If Díaz Riosis convicted and if he has a clean record, he will face 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
In a statement, Seattle Public Schools said:
Seattle Public Schools (SPS) entered into a separation agreement this month with Alex Díaz Rios who was charged with prostitution. Upon learning of the charges, SPS acted swiftly to place the individual on leave on Wednesday, Nov. 13. He has resigned and will not be returning to SPS.
On Thursday, Dec. 5, a law firm hired by SPS made a public records request to the City of Renton for documents to learn more about the prostitution charge, but at no time prior to today was the district made aware that the charge may have involved a minor.
SPS contacted the Office of Professional Practices last week and will be making a formal referral for the state to review Díaz Rios’ professional licensure. The district’s top priority is the safety and well-being of students, and SPS will continue to take all necessary steps to ensure a safe learning environment for all.”
Renton police report 7 men arrested in child sex trafficking sting
In total, seven people were arrested in the Renton operation. Casey McNerthney, with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (KCPAO), said three of those cases were referred to KCPAO and each of them led to charges.
Joseph Earl Haufle was charged in October with attempted commercial sexual abuse of a minor, attempted rape of a child in the third degree and communication with a minor for immoral purposes, according to McNerthney. Court records show Haufle has two convictions for sex crimes, including rape of a child. He recently got out of prison.
More local crime: Seattle man arrested after reportedly ramming multiple vehicles trying to flee police
Thang Pain Khai was charged in October with attempted commercial sexual abuse of a minor and communication with a minor for immoral purposes. KCPAO stated Pain Khai pleaded not guilty to all charges on October 10. It added that prosecutors originally asked for his bail to be set at $75,000, however, the first appearance court set his bail at $5,000.
“That could not be re-argued under court rules with the filing of charges, so prosecutors asked for that amount to be maintained,” McNerthny said.
David A. Scott was charged in October with two counts of communication with a minor for immoral purposes and attempted commercial sexual abuse of a minor, according to KCPAO. Attorneys said Scotts pleaded not guilty to all counts on October 31. After hearing from prosecutors and defense, the first appearance court set his bail at $40,000.
The three other men have not been identified but charges are expected.
Contributing: Julia Dallas, MyNorthwest
