Local man arrested on charge of 2nd degree child molestation

A Point Roberts man was arrested and jailed on a report of a sexual assault on a juvenile that is alleged to have occurred on December 12, according to Deb Slater of the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.

Jason Archer, 58, was contacted at his residence by sheriff’s deputies on December 28, taken into custody and transferred to Whatcom County Jail for booking. The victim was known by Archer, according to the sheriff’s office. He was charged with child molestation in the second degree, a class B felony in Washington state. He was released on December 29 after posting $2,000 bond.

Under the Revised Code of Washington 9A.44.086, “A person is guilty of child molestation in the second degree when the person has, or knowingly causes another person under the age of eighteen to have, sexual contact with another who is at least twelve years old but less than fourteen years old and the perpetrator is at least thirty-six months older than the victim.”

In simple terms, someone can be charged with child molestation in the second degree if they engage in sexual activity with a person who is at least 12 but less than 14 years old, and the perpetrator is at least three years older than the victim. There are three degrees of child molestation which are based on the age of the victim. First degree applies to victims under 12 while third degree applies to victims older than 14 but less than 16 years of age. The age of the perpetrator also plays a role in charges.

Archer was scheduled to be arraigned in Whatcom County Superior Court on January 5. A No Contact order was entered on December 29.