Former Ridgefield High School security guard charged with stalking student
Ridgefield WA Nov 27 2019
A former Ridgefield High School security guard faces charges of stalking and immoral communication with a minor after he allegedly asked a 16-year-old student for photos.
On Nov. 13, Kevin Plue, 32, of Vancouver, was given notices to appear in Battle Ground Municipal Court for two counts of stalking and one count of communication with a minor for immoral purposes, according to court records. All three counts are gross misdemeanors under state law.
According to a probable cause affidavit prepared by a Ridgefield Police officer, on Oct. 31 Plue flirted with and asked the victim for her Snapchat handle, which he used to text her over the course of the next few days. Through the conversations, it was clear to the victim that Plue was asking if she would send nude photos to him, according to court documents.
According to the affidavit, the victim told school staff what Plue was doing, and staff met with Plue after being informed. Plue had texted the victim to ask if she had told anyone, and following the meeting with staff he told her he did not get into trouble.
The victim was fearful that Plue knew she turned him in, the affidavit read, with the victim and a friend, who saw some of the messages from Plue, taking “extreme measures” to avoid Plue on campus. That didn’t work as Plue would still find them at their classes or in the parking lot, according to the affidavit.
When contacted by police, Plue said there must have been a misunderstanding about sending photos because of the victim’s age, according to the affidavit. Plue did not deny that he had conversations with the victim, though he tried to explain what he did and attempted to “minimize the content of the conversation,” the affidavit read.
RHS Principal Christen Palmer sent out a letter to parents to address “growing rumor about the staffing changes in regards to (the school’s) security personnel,” though the letter has discrepancies with the timeline of events detailed in the affidavit.
According to the letter, Plue “was immediately removed from the RHS campus” when staff learned of the allegations against Plue.
Ridgefield School District Assistant Superintendent Chris Griffith reiterated that the district acted as soon as they heard of the allegations.
In the letter, Palmer wrote she was proud of the students who reported the situation, as well as the partnerships between the district, the Ridgefield Police Department and Phoenix Security, Plue’s employer, in handling the situation.
