A small Washington town has been rocked by disturbing allegations after a volunteer fire chief was charged with dozens of counts of child sex abuse.
Ilwaco Volunteer Fire Chief Jefferey S. Archer was arrested on Jan. 9 by the Pacific County Sheriff’s Office and booked into the Pacific County Jail, according to local reports citing law enforcement.
Prosecutors have charged Archer with a total of 37 felony counts, including 10 counts of first-degree rape of a child, 21 counts of first-degree child molestation, four counts of second-degree child molestation, and two child sexual exploitation-related charges involving explicit images of a minor. Archer has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The arrest followed a lengthy investigation by the Pacific County Sheriff’s Office after authorities received reports alleging child sexual abuse. According to court records referenced by local outlets, one boy told investigators he was sexually abused by Archer nearly every weekend for about five months in 2019. The victim alleged that Archer provided marijuana and alcohol in exchange for allowing the abuse.
Court documents also state that the boy told police another minor was abused as well, and investigators allege Archer was involved in an inappropriate relationship with that second individual, who was 18 at the time. A statement of probable cause reportedly claims the alleged abuse may date back as far as 2013.
On the day of Archer’s arrest, deputies executed a search warrant at a residence in Ocean Park. He was taken into custody shortly afterward.
Archer has been placed on administrative leave from the Ilwaco Fire Department and is being held on $500,000 bail. City officials confirmed he began working as a part-time fire chief in 2021 and was promoted to full-time chief in November 2023.
In a statement, the city of Ilwaco said it is cooperating fully with investigators and remains committed to protecting the community while the case unfolds.
Archer formally entered not guilty pleas during an arraignment on Jan. 16. Prosecutors have indicated additional charges may be forthcoming, including allegations involving more potential victims.
The investigation remains ongoing.
So many in positions of authority and they are all going to be exposed of the evil deeds so they get a chance to repent and stand the consequences of their actions