MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Report: Sheriff Urquhart will not be charged for alleged groping

Dec 1, 2017, 2:50 PM | Updated: 2:54 pm

urquhart...

Sheriff John Urquhart. (KIRO 7)

(KIRO 7)

King County Sheriff John Urquhart will not be charged for allegedly groping a former King County deputy.

RELATED: Charges recommended for Sheriff Urquhart

The Seattle Times reports that the Snohomish County prosecutor is declining to file a criminal case. Renton police conducted a two-month long investigation into an allegation that Urquhart groped a former deputy outside a Renton restaurant in 2014. Police forwarded the results of that investigation, stating detectives found probable cause.

Snohomish County Prosecutor Mark Roe won’t take the case further, stating in a letter:

In my opinion, and that of other Senior Special Assault Unit deputies I have discussed the case with, the incident as described by the alleged victim simply doesn’t constitute Indecent Liberties.

Roe also said that even if he believed the allegations were true, the recommended charge of Indecent Liberties doesn’t fit. He said that Assault in the Fourth Degree with Sexual Motivation is more apt in this case, but it is too late to consider that charge — the statute of limitations has already passed.

Urquhart had denied the allegation, as well as another allegation he raped a deputy 14 years ago, saying that they were politically motivated during an election season. Urquhart lost the November election to Mitzi Johanknecht.

MyNorthwest News

parenting...

Katrina Guischard

The parenting advice going viral right now: be the pilot, not the passenger

An expert is challenging some of today's most popular parenting trends, and it's striking a chord.

1 hour ago

ritzville i-90 closed visibility...

Jason Sutich

I-90 in Ritzville reopens after dust storm caused multiple collisions

I-90 in Ritzville has reopened after both directions were blocked Friday due to multiple collisions.

12 hours ago

Ballard hit-and-run...

KIRO Newsradio staff

20-year-old sentenced to more than 3 years for deadly 2025 Ballard hit-and-run

The man accused in the hit-and-run death of a pedestrian in Ballard last year has been sentenced to more than three years in prison.

12 hours ago

2 box truck fire SODO...

Julia Dallas

Suspects accidentally light themselves on fire while allegedly trying to steal fuel from box trucks in SODO

Two suspects accidentally set themselves on fire while they appeared to be trying to steal fuel from box trucks in the SODO neighborhood.

13 hours ago

columbia city school gun...

MyNorthwest Staff

Person in custody after gun seized by staff at high school in Seattle

A person is in custody after a gun was seized by staff at a high school in Seattle.

14 hours ago

2 Rick Rizzs...

Manda Factor

Rick Rizzs says goodbye to Mariners booth after 52-year career: ‘I’ve lived my dream’

Rick Rizzs has three games left behind the microphone for the Seattle Mariners, and a lifetime of memories competing for his attention.

14 hours ago

Report: Sheriff Urquhart will not be charged for alleged groping