Thurston County detectives have arrested a 19-year-old Lewis County man for rape of a child third degree after a 14-year-old victim was identified.
Police say Alex Eduardo Salazar appeared in court on Wednesday. He was held on $20,000 bail.
Police say Salazar was employed as a lifeguard by the Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound and the victim was a guest at the resort.
Police say the suspect befriended the victim and she voluntarily left with him when his shift was over. The victim got into the suspect's car and the two left the property.
Police say the assault occurred in the suspect's car on a roadside nearby. The suspect then dropped the victim off at the Great Wolf property, where she notified family.
The victim sustained minor injuries.
The victim identified the lifeguard on surveillance video, where the two were seen leaving together.
Detectives arrested Salazar on Tuesday at Rochester High School, where he is a senior.
Prosecutors say when Salazar saw the deputy at the school, the deputy said Salazar immediately began crying and said, I messed up.
Detectives are asking for the public's help in identifying any other potential victims. If you have information, call the Thurston County Sheriff's Office Investigative Services Division at 360-786-5500 or CrimeStoppers at 360-493-2222.
