The Associated Press
WALLA WALLA, Wash. — A Walla Walla police officer was arrested Tuesday after an investigation into allegations that he had a sexual encounter with an underage girl in his patrol car while on duty.
Raymond M. Clayton, 38, a department officer since 2000, was booked into the Walla Walla County Jail for investigation of third-degree child molestation. He was later released without bail by Walla Walla Superior Court Judge Robert Zagelow pending filing of any formal charges.
Prosecutor Jim Nagle said the case, which was investigated by the Kennewick Police Department, will be turned over to the state attorney general’s office to avoid conflicts of interest.
Walla Walla Police Chief Chuck Fulton said the arrest grew out of an investigation into allegations that Clayton, who is married, was involved in inappropriate conduct with as many as five women while working night patrols several years ago.
During their investigation, Kennewick police detectives learned of an encounter with a 15-year-old girl in Clayton’s patrol vehicle while it was parked in a church parking lot sometime around April 2002, according to a police report. She is now 20 and lives out of state, the chief said.
Clayton was placed on paid leave July 24.
If convicted, Clayton would face a jail term of six months to a year.
Clayton said at the hearing he is in the process of contacting a lawyer, Nagle said. There was no answer Tuesday at Clayton’s home.
The alleged encounters with adult women appear to have been consensual, Fulton said. An internal investigation is expected to be completed this week.