MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Snohomish County sheriff’s sergeant busted for tipping off bikini baristas resigns

Jul 16, 2013, 6:39 PM | Updated: 6:44 pm

The Snohomish County sheriff’s sergeant facing prosecution for his connection to an alleged bikini-barista prostitution ring has resigned, The Snohomish County sheriff’s office announced Tuesday.

Darrell O’Neill, 58, was arrested in June for allegedly tipping off the owner of several coffee stands to undercover operations in exchange for sex.

O’Neill submitted his resignation in writing Tuesday, according to sheriff’s spokeswoman Shari Ireton.

O’Neill had been on paid administrative leave since the June 25 arrest. While an internal investigation has been dropped as a result of the resignation, a criminal probe is ongoing, Ireton said.

Along with O’Neill, police arrested the owner of several Java Juggs coffee stands in Everett, Edmonds, Lynwood and Kent, along with several other baristas on suspicion of prostitution-related offenses.

Investigators say O’Neill warned baristas about ongoing investigations, and was given sexual favors in exchange.

O’Neill had been with the department for 30 years prior to his arrest.

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Snohomish County sheriff’s sergeant busted for tipping off bikini baristas resigns