Wahluke High School instructor charged with sexual misconduct, resigns

Editor’s note: This article contains sexually graphic content and parental discretion is advised.

EPHRATA — A Wahluke High School instructor allegedly admitted to having sexual encounters with a 17-year-old student.

Grant County prosecutors charged Michael Smith, 45, of Wenatchee, with first-degree sexual misconduct with a minor. Smith resigned his position, according to school officials.

On May 28 the Grant County Sheriff’s Office was made aware of a possible sexual assault involving Smith, who is an instructor and director of the Career Technical Education program at Wahluke High School, and a 17-year-old male student at WHS.

Deputies contacted the victim, who explained that he made arrangements to meet and have sexual intercourse with an older man, with the man turning out to be Smith. The boy reported using Grindr, a social networking platform for homosexual and bi-sexual men on his phone. The application locates other people who have similar interests to the user, with the boy stating he used the site’s messaging system to make arrangements to meet an older man, alleged to be Smith. Smith allegedly sent the boy sexually suggestive messages and sent him a nude photo.

The victim allegedly made plans to meet Smith on May 25 at his aunt’s Mattawa residence during his lunch hour, with the boy agreeing to put a blindfold on and have sex with Smith. One of the victim’s friends reportedly showed up at the location during the sexual act and Smith ran away. The boy’s friend allegedly caught a glimpse of the man and reported he looked like Smith.

The next day the boy confronted Smith, with Smith allegedly admitting he was the man he had met the previous day. Smith took the student into WHS’ storeroom and allegedly performed oral sex on him. The victim told Smith to stop and told him he, “needed to pay him or change his grades,” according to police records.

Smith was interviewed by investigators on May 31 and allegedly confessed to having sex with the male student and described using Grindr on his cell phone. He said he wanted to remain anonymous, which is why he had the boy wear a blindfold. A detective with the sheriff’s office reported that Smith’s account of what happened was “very similar” to the account the boy gave.

Smith’s account of the incident at WHS slightly differed from the victim’s however, in that Smith told investigators the boy demanded he perform oral sex on him.

“Mike explained (the victim) demanded he pay him between $50 and $200. Mike told him he didn’t have money to spare and then (the victim) demanded he (Mike) change his grades. Mike told him no and the (victim) grabbed a bag of hot Cheetos and left the store,” wrote a detective.

Video surveillance reportedly shows Smith and the student walk into the storeroom about the time they described.

A statement posted on Wahluke School District's website reads, "safety of our students is our top priority at Wahluke. The School District is aware of the allegations and is cooperating with the police investigation. This employee has resigned. We can not comment any further."

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.