King County deputy accused of raping 17-year-old girl

Deputy Ricardo Cueva of the King County Sheriff's Office faces charges of third-degree rape and first-degree sexual misconduct involving a 17-year-old girl. Allegations stem from incidents occurring between 2017 and 2018, during his tenure leading the Explorer Program, designed to connect youth with law enforcement. Court documents reveal that Cueva allegedly had sexual relations with the victim on multiple occasions, sometimes while still in uniform. The victim expressed that Cueva's recognition as Employee of the Year in 2018 made her reluctant to report the incidents, fearing disbelief. Cueva was previously accused of sexual misconduct in 2014 involving a 10-year-old girl, but that case was dismissed due to a lack of evidence.

He is currently on administrative leave, and a judge has set his bail at $150,000. The King County Sheriff's Office has committed to thoroughly investigating the allegations in collaboration with the Seattle Police and its Internal Investigations Unit. This case raises significant concerns regarding the safety and trustworthiness of law enforcement programs aimed at youth engagement.