Charging documents provide more insight into the arrest of Aberdeen City Councilor Riley T. Carter, 39, on a charge of first-degree rape of a child.
Carter was arrested Tuesday evening, after a witness made contact with the police, with the Grays Harbor Sheriff's Office taking the lead in the investigation due to Carter's position as an Aberdeen city councilor.
Police were contacted on Tuesday afternoon for a report of a sex offense against a minor, according to court documents. The victim was interviewed in the presence of their parent, stating that Carter had touched them sexually "a lot of times," according to court documents, with incidents occurring over the last two years, as often as several times per week.
The victim noted that Carter would unplug a camera present in the victim's bedroom before the incidents, including that morning, on July 30, as well as cameras in areas leading to the room, according to court documents.
Carter was arrested at around 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday by an Aberdeen police officer, who took Carter into custody. He was interviewed by a detective from the sheriff's office that evening, according to the court documents, where, after being questioned about the frequency of events involving sexual contact, Carter stated that the victim's narrative of events, with a higher number of incidents, was true.
Carter also claimed he seriously contemplated killing himself during the events of Tuesday, going so far as to tie a rope in the basement of his residence, before deciding not to, according to court documents.
Carter declared his statement to be true, according to court documents, before being booked for first-degree rape of a child.
Carter is required as part of pretrial conditions to surrender any weapons — the court documents note Carter was arrested with a loaded handgun magazine, though it makes no mention if he was in possession of the handgun it belonged with — as well as the surrender of his passport, protective orders put in place, and a requirement to vacate the residence he currently inhabits. Bail is currently set at $150,000.
Carter's next appearance in court is on Monday. He is currently listed as being part of the Aberdeen City Council as of press time Thursday, no action having been taken following an executive council session to discuss complaints or charges brought against a public officer or employee.
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