KITSAP COUNTY, Wash. — The executive director of Kitsap County’s 911 services resigned amid a criminal investigation.
Richard Kirton, 54, was the executive director of Kitsap 911, which provides emergency communication services to Kitsap County. The announcement of his voluntary resignation was shared on Tuesday afternoon.
On Jan. 26, Kirton was arrested in King County as part of a sting operation and is under investigation for communicating with a minor for immoral purposes.
Kirton was officially charged with attempted commercial sexual abuse of a minor on Jan. 31.
On Jan. 26, a Bellevue Police Department detective with the Human Trafficking Unit created a fake profile on an app as part of a “pro-active covert operation which was intended to address the demand for commercial sex of underage victims,” according to probable cause documents from the King County Sheriff's Office.
Kirton allegedly messaged the undercover detective’s fake profile and agreed to pay the 16-year-old person – who the detective was pretending to be – in cash for sexual acts, documents state. When the undercover detective told Kirton he was 16, Kirton allegedly messaged, “that works for me,” documents state.
When Kirton reportedly arrived at the agreed upon north King County hotel room and messaged the undercover detective’s profile that he had arrived, police arrested him around 11 p.m., probable cause documents state.
A judge set Kirton’s bail at $5,000 and he was released on Sunday.
Kirton was placed on administrative leave over the weekend before resigning Tuesday. King County prosecutors said they expect to make a charging decision as early as Wednesday.
In order for a person to hold the executive director position for Kitsap 911, candidates must go through an eight-step screening, which includes fingerprinting and criminal background checks, multiple interviews and reference checks, according to county policy.
Deputy Director Maria K. Jameson-Owens has been appointed acting executive director for the agency.
This is a developing story. Check back soon for updates.