Store video leads to arrest of man accused of raping underage girl during Sudden Valley day trip
A Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office investigation has led to the arrest of a Whatcom County man who is accused of supplying alcohol to an underage girl and then raping her.
Authorities identified a suspect and arrested John Ephrim-Michael Rodgers, 24, on July 1.
The alleged victim, age 15, said she met with Rodgers in person on May 6 in Sudden Valley after some online communication. The two were on a walk on a hiking path in the woods when Rodgers overpowered and raped the girl, according to Deb Slater with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office received reports of the incident on May 21 and began the investigation. The victim did not have the name of her attacker, but was able to provide detectives with a photo of him, as well as details of a social media account. She also took showed detectives where the attack happened, according to Slater.
A second girl, also 15, told detectives she also had been in contact with the same male, and the conversations involved lewd comments and photos.
On June 2, detectives had evidence to place Rodgers as a suspect in the crime.
Detectives were able to find grocery store surveillance video of a man matching Rodgers’ description taking two bottles of liquor and leaving the store without paying. Probable cause was established to arrest Rodgers, according to Slater.
Rodgers was located July 1 at a homeless shelter in Bellingham. He was detained by the Bellingham Police Department, and arrested by WCSO detectives.
Rodgers was arrested on suspicion of second-degree rape, two counts of communication with a minor for immoral purposes, furnishing liquor to minors and third-degree theft.
He remained in custody at Whatcom County Jail as of July 3.
