Detective In Wenatchee Sex Ring Case Honored By City

The police detective who was both pilloried and praised for his role in the so-called Wenatchee sex ring cases has been named the city’s employee of the month for March.

Bob Perez received a standing ovation when he was named the first recipient of the new award during a city commission meeting last week.

He was selected by an employee committee made up of representatives of all city departments. Perez, who recently returned to regular police work after two years as a sex crimes detective, received seven nominations. The city employs about 200 people.

Investigators alleged that since 1988 as many as 50 children were forced to have sex - sometimes alone, sometimes in groups - with adults who took part in two loosely organized Wenatchee-area sex rings.

Perez was the lead detective in the investigation, which resulted in charges against 28 adults. Nineteen defendants have been convicted or pleaded guilty. Three were acquitted and charges against five others were dismissed. One case is pending.

Critics, including some of the accused, have contended Perez frightened children into claiming abuse and threatened adults into confessing to crimes they didn’t commit.