Sailors relationship with teen leads to rape charge
June 12, 2008 · Updated 12:26 PM
A Port Orchard man was arrested last week for allegedly molesting a 14-year-old girl who lived in his apartment complex on Sidney Avenue, according to Kitsap County Superior Court documents.
Ryan Michael Higgins, 23, was arrested Aug. 1 by the Port Orchard Police Department after allegations that he molested a teenager came to the attention of the U.S. Navy Criminal Investigation Service (NCIS).
After being booked into Kitsap County Jail, Higgins was charged on Friday with one count each of child rape and child molestation, both in the third degree. He was later released on $50,000 bail.
Higgins, who is a submarine radioman stationed at Naval Base Kitsap in Bangor, told NCIS investigators on July 26 that shortly after moving into the Arbor Terrace apartments at 1800 Sidney Avenue on June 16, he met the victim at the complexs pool.
He said he took the victim on a couple of dates to the movies, where he touched her inappropriately, and later purchased alcohol for her that she drank.
He also admitted that on at least one occasion he had sexual intercourse with her at her apartment.
Higgins next court date is an omnibus hearing on Sept. 8. His trial is scheduled for October.
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