Bellevue Police Department

Officer Carla Iafrate Police Public Information Officer

(425) 452-4129 (office) (425) 766-2092 (mobile) ciafrate@bellevuewa.gov
450 110th Ave. NE Bellevue, WA 98009 www.ci.bellevue.wa.us/police.htm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 9, 2014 Case#: 13-63833
Investigation on Arrested KC Deputy Concluded
On-Duty Deputy arrested New Years Eve for Physical Control of a Motor Vehicle
BELLEVUE, WA The Bellevue Police Department has completed their investigation on a
King County Sheriffs Deputy who was arrested in Newcastle last New Years Eve. The case
has been submitted for review to prosecutors and charging decisions are up to the King County
Prosecutors Office.
The three month investigation was conducted by a certified Drug Recoginition Expert and
showed the deputy was impaired by prescription medications. On February 12
th
, 2014, the
toxicology results from the Washington State Patrol Toxicology Lab (WSPTL) were received by
Bellevue PD. The toxicology report indicated None detected for the standard screening
conducted by the WSPTL.
These findings were inconsistent with observations of the suspect and statements made by the
deputy that he took prescription medications during his shift. WSPTL was contacted and stated
they did not have the ability to screen for these other drugs. On February 28, 2014, blood
samples were sent to NMS Labs in Pennsylvania for additional testing. NMS Labs is the
contract lab for screening substances outside the abilities of the WSP Toxicology Lab.
On March 31
st
, 2014, a copy of the NMS Lab results was received by Bellevue PD. The King
County Sheriff and Prosecuting Attorney were notified that the deputys blood analysis had
returned a positive result for presence of multiple prescription drugs. All have impairing qualities
and contain warnings about operating machinery or vehicles.







The findings of this investigation have been released to the King County Sheriffs Office. The
Bellevue Police Department considers this case to be closed.
According to the Sheriffs Office, their internal investgation for policy violations is still open.
The deputy is on light duty status, which means he has no police power but is performing
clerical duties.
A King County Sheriffs deputy was arrested December 31, 2013 for Physical Control of a
Motor Vehicle after a citizen called to report the deputy passed out behind the wheel of his
parked, fully-marked police car.
Bellevue Police Department was asked by the Sheriff Urquhart to handle the criminal
investigation of the 46-old deputy who worked for the Sheriffs Office for 15 years and prior to
that was an officer in Hawaii.
NOTE: Physical Control of a Motor Vehicle is the legal equivalent of DUI when no driving is
observed.

###END###

RESPECT INTEGRITY ACCOUNTABILITY SERVICE