Port Townsend, Washington Man Arrested for Engaging in Illicit Sexual Conduct in a Foreign Place

          A 62-year-old Port Townsend, Washington, man was arrested today on a complaint charging him with two counts of engaging in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign place, announced U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran.  JOHN TIMOTHY WHICHER will make his initial appearance on the complaint in U.S. District Court in Tacoma at 2:30 today. 

            According to the criminal complaint, in August 2017 WHICHER took the 6-year-old child to Canada to stay at a family cabin in Ontario.  WHICHER allegedly planned the trip as a surprise and purchased the trip without informing the child’s custodial parent.  When the child returned from the trip the child disclosed to the parent the sexual molestation, saying WHICHER said to keep it a secret.  The parent confronted WHICHER and reported the conduct to the Port Townsend Police.

            Engaging in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign place is punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

            The charges contained in the criminal complaint are only allegations.  A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

            The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Hampton.