A 33-year-old Vancouver man was arrested Wednesday after deputies say he sexually assaulted a 12-year-old at a popular east Vancouver skate park, and investigators are now asking the public for help.
Deputies were called to Pacific Park Extreme Skate Park at about 8:15 p.m. on July 14 for a report of a sexual assault and spoke with the 12-year-old victim, according to KPTV. The Clark County Sheriff’s Office told the station that the suspect and the child had prior contact before the suspect allegedly led the victim to a secluded area, where the assault is believed to have occurred. Officials have declined to release further details while detectives continue their work.
Pacific Park Extreme is a public, roughly 10,000-square-foot facility at 1515 Northeast 164th Avenue that serves skateboarders, BMX riders and non-motorized scooters, per Visit Vancouver. Part of the county parks system, it is regularly used by teens and families on summer evenings.
Charges and Legal Context
Clark County deputies identified the suspect as 33-year-old Samuel Swan, who was arrested and booked into the Clark County Jail on counts that include first-degree kidnapping, first-degree rape, second-degree rape of a child and outstanding felony warrants, the sheriff’s office told KPTV. Investigators asked anyone with information to contact Detective Bollin at [email protected].
Under Washington law, kidnapping in the first degree and rape of a child in the first and second degrees are classified as class A felonies that carry severe penalties; see Chapter 9A.40 RCW and Chapter 9A.44 RCW for the statutes.
Police, Victim Services and Next Steps
The sheriff’s office said detectives are continuing to investigate and that no additional details are being released at this time. Anyone with potential information about the case is asked to email Detective Bollin at [email protected], as tips can be crucial to building the investigation.
For those affected by sexual assault, YWCA Clark County operates a 24-hour sexual assault hotline (360-695-0501 or toll-free 800-695-0167) and offers medical, legal and advocacy services, according to YWCA Clark County.
Clark County deputies said the investigation remains active, and prosecutors will decide whether to file formal charges as detectives gather more evidence. This story will be updated as court records or additional public statements are released.
