Warden teacher arrested for voyeurism
Leavitt
WARDEN — A Warden city councilmember and substitute teacher for the Warden School District was arrested Thursday morning in connection with a voyeurism and child pornography investigation.
Warden officers, FBI agents, along with undercover detectives with Grant County’s Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team (INET), took 53-year-old Michael S. Leavitt into custody in the 600 block of South Ash Street.
Police first started investigating Leavitt back in October 2017 after a complaint was made against him by a 9-year-old female Warden student. The complaint alleged Leavitt, who was an emergency substitute teacher, used his phone to record the student under her dress at school, Warden Police Department Chief Rick Martin said.
Leavitt’s phone was seized and a search warrant and forensic investigation of the device reportedly produced evidence that Leavitt used his phone to view child pornography. The evidence reportedly indicates Leavitt had deleted files off of his phone.
“The Warden Police Department is a member of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force based out of the Seattle Police Department,” Martin explained. “As such, Moses Lake Police Detective Sergeant Brian Jones and Richland Police Detective Daryl Judge provided technical advice to the Warden Police Department, and a second search warrant was obtained to examine Leavitt’s iCloud account.”
Martin said the examination of the account confirmed the victim’s report and voyeuristic videos were recovered. Police also reportedly located a recording of a second victim that was allegedly recorded in the same classroom the first victim was recorded in. As the investigation progressed and grew in its scope, Warden police requested the assistance of the FBI. A FBI agent obtained a federal warrant for Leavitt’s home to search for “additional” child pornography.
“The FBI is now investigating possible possession and production of child porn by Leavitt. Leavitt was booked by the Warden Police Department for the initial charge of voyeurism. The investigation continues,” said Martin.
The city of Warden's website states Leavitt currently occupies Position No. 5 on the council and his term is set to expire in 2019.
If you have any information on the case contact the Warden Police Department at 509-762-1160.
Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.