Kentwood ROTC instructor charged with rape of high school student
Jun 14, 2022, 12:56 PM | Updated: 2:19 pm
Photo from KIRO 7
King County Prosecutors have charged a Kentwood High School instructor with raping a 15-year-old female student.
According to prosecutors, Joseph A. Byrd, a former marine, was charged Monday with third-degree rape of a child, communication with a minor for immoral purposes, and two counts of sexual misconduct.
The behavior was reported first by a friend of the alleged victim and notified school officials that the two had an inappropriate sexual relationship.
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He was arrested June 9, and placed on indefinite leave from the school.
It was set to be his last day at the school, and had plans to move to Arizona according to his lawyer.
It was his daughter’s last day too. Graduating from Kentwood High School Saturday, June 11.
Court documents show Byrd was working for the Junior ROTC program when he sexually assaulted the minor.
His arraignment is set for June 23rd at the Maleng Regional Justice Center.
“Clearly, the defendant knew his behavior was illegal and inappropriate and was actively trying to hide it,” the prosecuting attorney said in their case summary.
His bail remains at 150,000 dollars.
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