Report: Charges recommended for Sheriff Urquhart over groping allegation

King County Sheriff John Urquhart may face charges for an alleged groping incident involving a former deputy.

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The Seattle Times reports that the Renton Police Department has found probable cause to charge Sheriff Urquhart for assault with sexual motivation and sexual indecent liberties. Renton police have recommended those charges to the Snohomish County prosecutor for review. A decision on whether Urquhart will be officially charged is expected within 2-3 weeks.

Renton police conducted a two-month investigation into an allegation that Urqhuart groped former deputy Brian Barnes three years ago. Urquhart has denied the allegation and has sued Barnes in return, calling the claim malicious and politically motivated. Barnes is now a college-campus police officer in Massachusetts. He resigned from the King County Sheriff’s Office in 2015. He was paid more than $160,000 as part of settlement when he left the sheriff’s office. The Times notes that King County Executive Dow Constantine did not approve that settlement.

RELATED: Activist group says sheriff wants to silence accusers

The Times reports that Washington law allows a felony charge for indecent liberties to be filed up to 10 years after the alleged incident for a public officer. The other recommended charge — crime of assault with sexual motivation — has a three year time limit which has already passed.

Urquhart recently lost the election to keep his position as King County sheriff. Voters elected Mitzi Johanknecht to take over the office.

Urquhart responds to allegation

Following news of Renton police’s recommendation, Urquhart responded to the allegation.

“Not only have I adamantly denied this scurrilous allegation from day one, but I’ve said it was politically motivated,” Urquhart said. “Now there should be no question.”

After learning of the allegation in October, the sheriff ordered an investigation into the matter, according to a statement from the sheriff’s office. The office then asked the Renton Police Department to investigate the claim.

Urquhart said that Barnes was investigated for dishonesty at the sheriff’s office in 2014 before he left the force. The sheriff’s statement says:

Barnes has a history of making allegations going back at least twelve years to when he was a police officer in Webster, MA. In fact, this is the third elected official against whom he has made a criminal allegation just before an election.

Barnes has also filed official complaints over the years with the Sheriff’s Office Internal Investigations Unit, the King County Ombudsman, the King County Prosecutor’s Office, the Seattle-King County Civil Rights Commission, the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight, and the Washington Bar Association.  None were ever vindicated during the review process.

In 2006, Barnes was sued for defamation by City of Webster Selectman Ray Regis after claiming Regis was a cocaine dealer.  The lawsuit was settled with a written apology from Barnes and a cash payment.

The sheriff’s office also argues:

As part of their investigation, the Renton Police Department contacted former detective Robin Cleary, who vouched for Barnes veracity.  However Cleary was also fired from the Sheriff’s Office in 2014 for dishonesty during the Darion Holiwell investigation.

A second deputy, Carl Cole was also quoted in the PC Certification and also vouched for Barnes.  Cole was an active member of Sheriff-elect Johanknecht’s election team, and is part of her transition group. He is also lives with Johanknecht’s campaign manager Captain Jessica Sullivan.

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