Derik J. Detweiler

A high school counselor from Washington who’s alleged to have had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student was apprehended in Cody last week.

Derik J. Detweiler, 35, was taken into custody on Thursday evening — just hours after authorities in King County, Washington, obtained a warrant for his arrest. Prosecutors have charged Detweiler with a felony count of communication with a minor for immoral purposes and misdemeanor counts of second-degree sexual misconduct with a minor and supplying liquor to a minor.

Detweiler, of Kenmore, Washington, had worked as a counselor at Redmond High School since early 2021, according to school records. But Detweiler was placed on administrative leave on May 22 — immediately after a 17-year-old student reported having a months-long romantic relationship with him.

The student later told Redmond Police Det. Marshall Tolbert that the counselor initially reached out to her via social media. Tolbert later reviewed over 5,000 messages that Detweiler and the student had exchanged over the previous two months, including some in which the 35-year-old allegedly made sexual advances. By her account, they also met in person roughly a dozen times.

On one occasion last month, Detweiler reportedly took the girl to his apartment and showed her two of his pistols, suggesting she get one of her own; Detweiler also allegedly remarked that if the teenager ever left him, “he would kill himself with the guns,” Tolbert wrote of the girl’s account.

The 17-year-old said they later ate dinner, and Detweiler served her several glasses of wine. Afterwards, while she was feeling intoxicated, she said Detweiler began kissing and sexually touching her.

The student reported the relationship to Redmond High School staff days later, indicating to Tolbert that the counselor’s “overbearing affection … became too much.”

When school administrators placed Detweiler on leave, they told him not to contact any students or staff, but Tolbert said the suspect almost immediately tried calling and texting the 17-year-old.

“Would seem that you know why I’m hoping to talk,” Detweiler reportedly wrote in one message. “Just looking for some clarity and wanting to apologize for everything.”

Redmond police later learned that Detweiler had left the state and gone to Cody, where he has family. Acting on information from King County authorities, the Park County Sheriff’s Office found Detweiler working at a Cody restaurant on Thursday evening and arrested him there without incident, according to office spokesman Monte McClain.

At a Friday morning hearing in Park County Circuit Court, Judge Joey Darrah set Detweiler’s bond at $500,000 cash or surety. That was roughly in-line with the recommendation of King County prosecutors, who wrote that, “Given the defendant’s predatory acts of sexual abuse while in a position of trust over minors, coupled with the defendant’s statements of suicidal harm, access to firearms, and flight from this jurisdiction … no lesser amount can ensure the safety of the victim, community, or the defendant himself.”

By allowing an option for a surety bond, Detweiler could theoretically be released by paying a bondsman a nonrefundable $50,000 fee. However, bond will become a moot issue if Detweiler agrees to be returned to Washington; he said in court that he’s already hired an attorney to defend him against the allegations.

When Darrah asked if he was employed, Detweiler indicated his employment with the school district was “under investigation.”

“I have not received any termination paperwork, yet,” he said.

However, Detweiler’s name has already been scrubbed from Redmond High School’s online list of counseling office staff.

In a news release, Redmond Police Chief Darrell Lowe praised the 17-year-old’s courage to come forward.

Lowe also said parents should encourage their children to immediately tell a trusted adult if they hear or see something that’s concerning.

“We also remind parents to monitor their children’s social media activity and report anything suspicious,” he said.

Redmond police described their investigation as ongoing and asked anyone with more information about the case to contact the department at 425-556-2500.

In the event that Detweiler decides to fight his return to Washington, Darrah has tentatively scheduled a fugitive warrant review hearing for June 11, but it will be canceled if Detweiler waives extradition.