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Seattle police officer arrested in child molestation investigation

A Seattle police officer has been arrested for investigation of child molestation.

Officer Eric A. Smith was booked at 11:55 a.m. Monday into the Snohomish County Jail. He is being investigated for three counts of child molestation, but has not been charged.

Smith has worked at a motorcycle officer and joined the department on Aug. 2, 1983, according to department records.

“The arrest follows an investigation launched on June 18 by Sheriff’s Office detectives after allegations were made that the officer had molested his former girlfriend’s daughter on several occasions between 2009 and 2013,” Snohomish County Sheriff’s spokeswoman Shari Ireton said in a statement. “The victim was between the ages of 7 and 11 at the time of the alleged crimes.”

Seattle police did not immediately respond to an interview request from KIRO 7, but released a statement acknowledging Smith’s arrest. Neither Seattle police not the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office named Smith.

“The officer was placed on administrative leave on June 18, 2014 when SPD was first made aware of the investigation,” the Seattle statement read. The department referred additional inquires to Ireton.

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