Seattle-area middle school teacher arrested for attempted child rape

According to Redmond police, Leota Middle School teacher John Erwin Butz was arrested for attempted rape of a child in the first degree. Wednesday afternoon was the 30-year veteran of the Northshore School District’s first appearance hearing during which probable cause was found for Attempted Rape of a Child in the Second Degree. The judge set his bail at $50,000 but he remains in custody at the King County Jail.

According to court documents obtained by The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI, Butz answered an ad placed by undercover police “to target those who peruse the internet specifically looking for unsupervised access to minor children, with the purpose of committing sexual acts with them.”

On November 15, Butz answered the ad and, over the next month, discussed via text, in person, and online the officer’s 9- and 12-year-old fictional “daughters.” Butz used the alias “Ryan” and said that “when he had been deployed in Japan he had started to enjoy the submissive culture of women, and had engaged with different individuals there,” indicating that the relationships were “sexual in nature” and indicating that “he had been with younger individuals.”

Butz asked the officer “how experienced both of her daughters were" and said that he was interested in “oral” regarding her 12-year-old daughter. The detective believed he was referring to oral sex. Butz brought up the idea of oral a few times during their conversation but did not say “oral sex.” However, when bringing this up, he lowered his voice considerably and spoke about her 12-year-old daughter, and “pleasing/pleasure.”

As communication continued, Butz “would make comments about my appearance, like I was a hot and sexy mother and I likely wake up ‘beautiful’ in the mornings." It was clear that John not only had an interest in the children, but it appeared he may also be interested in a sexual relationship with the undercover officer.

At one point, Butz suggested a relationship model of “father figure and mother figure model. Children watch and then practice with father figure.” Butz also claimed he started in “Japan” when he was in his “late 20s” and “went to couple places where they showed love from women that were a variety of ages.” When asked what age he enjoyed the most, Butz said, “I’m not sure. I’m hoping to enjoy both.”

Despite the officer making clear the relationship was only for her “daughters” and not for herself, Butz continued to pursue it. On Dec. 6, he wrote in an email, “This kept me up all night, I just can't think of a way that is safe for me to have that loving relationship with just your girls. I really enjoy talking with you and appreciate all the love you have sent my way in this tough time. I would love to keep talking with you if you want, but I’m pretty sure you were just being kind because you were thinking of your girls. I hope you soon find the relationship that you are looking for. Hugs and kisses, Ryan.”

On Dec 1, Butz told the officer he would be interested in pleasuring her 12-year-old daughter, “Emily.” Later when the detective asked Butz if he wanted to have sex with her kids, “he immediately responded yes.”

The detective asked Butz to bring latex-free condoms, claiming her older daughter had a latex allergy, and lube to a meeting location at a hotel in Redmond where she had reserved a room for him to meet “Emily.”

On Dec. 10, Redmond Police Department detectives, along with the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force, arrested Butz when he arrived at the hotel. Latex-free condoms and lube were found on his person.

The Northshore School District sent out a statement to staff and families that read, “We are sending this message, recognizing this will be difficult news to receive. The District was notified by the Redmond Police Department that one of our Leota Middle School teachers was arrested for attempted criminal offense towards a minor. Based on the information we have been provided by law enforcement, the arrest is not related to any attempted misconduct with a Northshore student.”

“As soon as the Redmond Police made the District aware, the teacher was placed on administrative leave. The District will continue to cooperate with the police, and provide support as needed.”