Everett Police Arrest Local Optometrist on Suspicion of Child Molestation

September 17, 2014

Police Blotter

Just got this press release in from Aaron Snell at Everett PD…

Everett Police Department detectives arrest a local optometrist for molesting a young female patient.

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An optometrist practicing on Broadway in Everett, WA has been arrested on suspicion of child molestation by Everett Police.

On August 20, 2014, a 10 year-old girl and her father went to an appointment at a local optometrist office in the 3700 block of Broadway Ave. During the initial examination, the father was in the room with his daughter. Both returned to the waiting room and waited 15 minutes for a follow-up exam. When the daughter was called, the father was told he wasn’t needed and should wait. The father waited as instructed.

The daughter alleges only the optometrist was in the exam room with her. With the explanation of continuing the exam, the optometrist took off the girl’s shirt and squeezed her breasts. The girl alleges the optometrist took pictures with his cell phone before instructing her to take off her pants. When the girl questioned him, the optometrist repeated his instructions and pulled down her pants. The girl unsuccessfully resisted and believes the optometrist took more pictures. After a short time, the incident ended and the girl was released.

The daughter didn’t tell her father what happened but told her mother when she got home. The daughter was taken to a local hospital where a nurse administered a forensic examination and called 911.

During the investigation, the daughter was interviewed and detectives determined the optometrist is John P. O’Brien, a 33 year-old Bellevue resident. He was taken into custody on September 11, 2014 and interviewed, but denied the allegations. At the time, there was not enough evidence and O’Brien was released pending further investigation. A search warrant allowed for his phone to be seized and searched.

A detailed search of the phone found pictures consistent with the victim’s version of the incident and O’Brien was arrested at his home yesterday. He was booked into the Snohomish County Jail on probable cause for child molestation 1st degree (RCW 9A.44.083), sexual exploitation of a minor (RCW 9.68A.040), and possession of depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct 2nd degree (RCW 9.68A.070).

More search warrants are being served to locate additional evidence. Detectives believe there may be more victims.

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