FORKS — A Forks police officer has been arrested on investigation of second-degree rape of a child.
Officer Erik A. Hanson, 33, was arrested Thursday. He posted $5,000 bail on Friday, and will be formally charged Tuesday in Clallam County Superior Court.
He is alleged to have committed the crime while off-duty.
Acting on a request from Forks Police Chief Mike Powell, the Clallam County Sheriff’s Department Criminal Investigations Bureau investigated for three months before the arrest, said Sergeant Lyman Moores of the sheriff’s department.
The investigation revealed e-mail and phone correspondence between Hanson and the 12-year-old girl, Moores said.
“We did the investigation like we conduct any other investigation of that type,” Moores said.
Powell contacted the sheriff’s department in February after the Forks girl said that inappropriate sexual contact had occurred.
“We were advised of the allegations,” Moores said.
“We then interviewed the victim and conducted the investigation.”
Powell did not return a call seeking comment.
Court documents show the alleged crime occurred on Aug. 12 in a secluded area in Forks.
According to state law, second degree rape of a child occurs when a person has sexual intercourse with someone who is at least 12 years old but under 14, and who is not married to the perpetrator. The perpetrator must be 36 months older than the victim.
Hanson was serving in Iraq with the National Guard Reserves during the investigation. Detailed e-mail and phone correspondence found during the investigation corroborated the victim’s statement, Moores said.
Hanson was home on leave when he was arrested.
“It went without incident,” Moores said.
“He had come into the courthouse voluntarily. I advised him of the allegations and advised him of his rights. He told me that had contacted an attorney and declined to make a statement.”
Moores said the Forks Police Department provided key documents during the investigation.
“They were very professional,” Moores said.
________
Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
