Spokane police officer booked into jail on rape charge

Spokane police officer Nathan Nash, who has been under investigation for a reported sexual assault since late October, was arrested late Friday afternoon and booked into the Spokane County Jail on a rape charge.

Spokane County Sheriff’s detectives began investigating Nash, 36, after the victim’s father reported the sexual assault on Oct. 23.

Nash, a patrol officer, was conducting a follow-up interview with the victim of a domestic dispute when the woman said he sexually assaulted her.

During the incident, the woman lowered her pants for Nash to examine bruising on her hip from the domestic violence situation, according to court records. She said Nash then penetrated her with his fingers and touched her rear.

The victim told her father about the incident, who then reported it to police on Oct. 23. Nash was placed on paid administrative leave the same day.

Nash denied assaulting the victim on Nov. 1 via a statement from his lawyer, Rocky Treppiedi, a former assistant city attorney.

While a criminal investigation is already underway, the Spokane Police Department said in a statement Friday it will immediately begin an administrative investigation to determine if Nash committed any policy, procedure or training violations related to the incident.

“The alleged conduct is completely unacceptable and in absolute conflict with the high standards of the Spokane Police Department,” Police Chief Craig Meidl said in a statement Friday evening. “Our men and women took an oath to protect and serve the community in which we live. We will not shy away from that oath and it will be upheld.”

“I would like to thank those who demonstrated great courage by coming forward and bringing these allegations to light.”

Nash, who previously served for 13 years as a federal law enforcement officer, was hired by the Spokane Police Department in December 2018. He was booked into the Spokane County Jail just after 5 p.m. Friday on one charge of second-degree rape and two counts of official misconduct. He is being held without bond.