NEWS RELEASE

Bellevue Police Department

Officer Carla Iafrate Police Public Information Officer

(425) 452-4129 (office) (425) 766-2092 (mobile) ciafrate@bellevuewa.gov

450 110th Ave. NE Bellevue, WA 98009 www.ci.bellevue.wa.us/police.htm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

April 9, 2014 Case#: 13-63833

Investigation on Arrested KC Deputy Concluded On-Duty Deputy arrested New Year’s Eve for Physical Control of a Motor Vehicle

BELLEVUE, WA – The Bellevue Police Department has completed their investigation on a

King County Sheriff’s Deputy who was arrested in Newcastle last New Year’s Eve. The case

has been submitted for review to prosecutors and charging decisions are up to the King County

Prosecutor’s Office.

The three month investigation was conducted by a certified Drug Recoginition Expert and

showed the deputy was impaired by prescription medications. On February 12th

, 2014, the

toxicology results from the Washington State Patrol Toxicology Lab (WSPTL) were received by

Bellevue PD. The toxicology report indicated “None detected” for the standard screening

conducted by the WSPTL.

These findings were inconsistent with observations of the suspect and statements made by the

deputy that he took prescription medications during his shift. WSPTL was contacted and stated

they did not have the ability to screen for these other drugs. On February 28, 2014, blood

samples were sent to NMS Labs in Pennsylvania for additional testing. NMS Labs is the

contract lab for screening substances outside the abilities of the WSP Toxicology Lab.

On March 31st, 2014, a copy of the NMS Lab results was received by Bellevue PD. The King

County Sheriff and Prosecuting Attorney were notified that the deputy’s blood analysis had

returned a positive result for presence of multiple prescription drugs. All have impairing qualities

and contain warnings about operating machinery or vehicles.

The findings of this investigation have been released to the King County Sheriff’s Office. The

Bellevue Police Department considers this case to be closed.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, their internal investgation for policy violations is still open.

The deputy is on “light duty” status, which means he has no police power but is performing

clerical duties.

A King County Sheriff’s deputy was arrested December 31, 2013 for Physical Control of a

Motor Vehicle after a citizen called to report the deputy passed out behind the wheel of his

parked, fully-marked police car.

Bellevue Police Department was asked by the Sheriff Urquhart to handle the criminal

investigation of the 46-old deputy who worked for the Sheriff’s Office for 15 years and prior to

that was an officer in Hawaii.

NOTE: Physical Control of a Motor Vehicle is the legal equivalent of DUI when no driving is

observed.

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