Charges not filed against WA teacher accused of sexual misconduct due to statute of limitations

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced Monday that it cannot move forward with criminal charges against Philip Dean, a longtime educator and band instructor at Bothell High School, due to the case falling outside the statute of limitations under Washington state law.

Dean, 44, was arrested last week by Bothell Police on two felony charges stemming from alleged incidents involving a student during the 2015 and 2016 school years. He was booked on one count of Sexual Misconduct With a Minor in the First Degree and one count of Communication With a Minor for Immoral Purposes.

The victim, who was a student at the time, is reportedly cooperating with authorities in what law enforcement has called an active and ongoing investigation.

However, when the case was referred to prosecutors on April 28, 2025, it was determined that the alleged offenses occurred too long ago to be prosecuted under the laws in effect at the time. The King County Prosecutors Office told The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI that although Washington state updated its statute of limitations in 2019 to eliminate time limits for prosecuting Sexual Misconduct With a Minor in the First Degree, that change is not retroactive. As a result, offenses that occurred before July 28, 2019, remain bound by the previous statute of limitations.

Three senior deputy prosecuting attorneys independently reviewed the case and available admissible evidence before unanimously concluding that no criminal charges could be filed. The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office emphasized that the decision was strictly based on current state law and does not reflect the credibility of the young woman involved or the seriousness of the allegations.

“We appreciate the work of the Bothell Police Department and recognize the efforts of state lawmakers in 2019 to remove time limits for this crime going forward,” the Prosecutor’s Office stated.

Dean had been a faculty member at Bothell High School for over 15 years. The Northshore School District has confirmed it is fully cooperating with the ongoing police investigation and is working to support students, families, and the broader community. Bothell Police are urging anyone with additional information to come forward, noting that while only one victim is currently known, there may be others. “This is an important matter of student safety and trust,” a department spokesperson said.

This case comes amid a series of recent reports involving alleged sexual misconduct by school personnel across the Evergreen State. Last week, a middle school wrestling coach in Auburn was charged with multiple felonies after allegedly exchanging sexually explicit messages and materials with a 14-year-old student.

The growing number of such cases has fueled criticism from parents and advocacy groups who say the state is not doing enough to protect students from sexual predators within school systems. Critics also voiced concerns earlier this month when lawmakers voted to remove parts of Initiative 2081, the Parents’ Bill of Rights, which had sought to expand parental access to educational records and ensure more robust notification about issues affecting students' physical and mental health.