REDMOND, Wash. — A McMinnville elementary school teacher was arrested Friday outside Seattle for trying to meet two purported minors to engage in sex acts, investigators said.
Andrew Hammond, 50, began communicating online with a detective posing as a 14-year-old girl back in October 2021, according to the police department in Redmond, Wash., located outside Seattle.
Several months later, police said he started messaging with a different detective posing as a 13-year-old.
Despite being made aware of their purported ages, police said he "continued to engage in sexually motivated conversations with the investigators."
Detectives arranged to meet Hammond through "location-based social network/dating apps" as part of their undercover operation. They arrested the suspect after he checked into a hotel room.
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After executing a search warrant on his vehicle, Redmond police found condoms, lubricant, handcuffs and duct tape.
The McMinnville School District confirmed that Hammond is a fourth-grade teacher at Newby Elementary School. The district said this was his first year with the district. He has been placed on administrative leave.
He was booked at the King County Jail on charges of attempted second-degree rape of a child, attempted third-degree rape of a child and four counts of communication with a minor for immoral purposes. His bail was set at $100,000.
"The important message for parents is to monitor your children's activities on their phones and computers," said Redmond Police Chief Darrell Lowe.
