By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Chehalis police arrested a 33-year-old man following an investigation that began when a special needs student told a school district employee that he grabbed her hand and put it in his crotch area during a program in which students go to local businesses to learn job skills.
The 20-year-old student allegedly said he’d done it several times before and she was afraid to tell him to stop, according to court documents.
Rodney R. Cook, the shipping manager at Sun Bird Shopping Center in Chehalis, was charged today in Lewis County Superior Court with one count of indecent liberties, according to temporary defense attorney Joely O’Rourke. If convicted, he could face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Police were contacted on June 1 and spoke with a Chehalis School District employee who said the alleged victim told her what happened that day after she returned from Sunbirds, according to court documents.
Police Sgt. Rick McNamara was told the two were working on one side of a table pricing items while her job coach and other students were on the other side, court documents relate.
The documents don’t include any information indicating police interviewed the alleged victim or the suspect.
The school district’s program called Visions works with special needs children. The alleged victim has “a specific” learning disability” and an IQ of 71 or 72, according to court documents.
Cook, who lives in Olympia, was arrested yesterday and booked into the Lewis County Jail.
A judge this afternoon set his bail at $50,000.
Lewis County Deputy Prosecutor Paul Masiello said Cook has a March 2009 conviction in Wyoming for second-degree sexual assault, victim under 12.
His arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 25.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
I used to work at Sunbirds, with Rodney, and he was always nice. I always knew there was something off about him. He always made sexual gestures or comments, or would look at us women employees uncomfortably. It’s horrible what had happened, but it’s not anyone of the sunbirds families fault but his own. I hope he gets a stern sentencing, and is put away for awhile. I was never comfortable working with him, and now I know why.
Spottedgrowl you are 100% right!!!
I have a special needs daughter age 24. As parents we have to be leery of everyone. I’d rather be wrong then have anything happen to my girl. I hope this guy gets some serious time and I hope he gets some good ol boy justice!!!
motorboatin….be careful! Your ignorance is showing!! KEY WORDS HERE>>>a special needs student. Yet another clue>>>>>“a specific” learning disability” and an IQ of 71 or 72,. Hmmm….who is the person with the learning disability here? Sounds like you may qualify for that program by your comments! Special needs kids can stay in school I believe until 21. Why didn’t she speak out when it happened??? AGAIN, see above two references to story^^^ SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS NEED ADVANCED HELP with most things in life. They get job training as well as life skills training. They are some of the most awesome and beautiful people around. They have such an innocence about them and it is just plain sick and disgusting when some freak ass pervert tries to take advantage of them!! I hope this sick bastard rots in jail forever!! Don’t kid yourself for one minute that he wouldn’t try it with one of your kids…. (if you found somebody as ignorant as you to breed with to create some) Are you related to this guy or something?? Is he your best friend? What gives that you could be sooooo defensive for this freak of nature??? HE ALREADY HAS 1 CONVICTION OF CHILD MOLESTATION OF A CHILD UNDER 12 YEARS OLD!! I personally believe all offenders committing a second offense should have to have their genitalia surgically removed in order to ever be let loose in the general population of this earth and it would be quite fitting in this case! If you think he is soooo mislabeled and is getting a bum rap, adopt him and move the bottom feeder in with your family!! Betcha your tone would change then!!
For it to be rape you have to say I quote “no.” Basic requirement of rape. She was not a minor, this is one of the dumbest cases of the year.
Long term effects from fondling cock and balls that’s a new one. He was teaching her ‘hand’ job skills. Why did she not resist? If everyone was in room why didn’t she yell no? You can’t rape the willing the victim is an adult and what are 20 year olds still doing in High school anyway?
I would suspect that any offenses that the employee did AFTER hiring on at Sunbirds would be nothing Sunbirds knew.. Though since it was a 2009 conviction if the employee lied on the application and didn’t come forward with the information it’s on Sunbirds’ head for not doing a background check…Though I would think Sunbirds would have a criminal background done on ALL employees since they probably don’t want any known thieves working for them. I feel bad for the student.. I only hope that the student doesn’t have long term effects from it.
How the hell was Sunbirds supposed to know? They don’t sell crystal balls.
One sick person. Doesn’t Sunbirds check into their workers?