SEATAC, Wash. — A man accused of possessing child pornography fled the country via Seattle-Tacoma International Airport after he was briefly detained by police, but could not be arrested due to a lack of a warrant, according to officials.
Yuexiang Ling was charged with multiple counts of child pornography by the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office in August.
Investigators from the King County Sheriff's Office reportedly found several files on Ling's computer containing child sexual abuse. According to court documents, the files contained material of children being raped and molested.
Ling was arrested, but posted bail and was forced to surrender his passport, which he did.
However, in September, Ling was able to book a one-way flight from SEA Airport to Shanghai, China. Documents say officials were notified of his flight which was scheduled for Sept. 14.
According to the King County Sheriff's Office, Ling's travel was flagged and the Department of Homeland Security and Port of Seattle Police were notified to stop and arrest Ling.
The terms of Ling's release were that he was required to forfeit all passports to police, but he obtained a fake passport against the court's order.
An email between Homeland Security and the sheriff's office explained that Port of Seattle Police were on scene and "declined detention of the subject due to lack of warrant. Unfortunately, Subject was released and boarded his outbound flight."
The Port of Seattle said it is investigating the incident to understand what happened to ensure it will not happen again.
"The POSPD recognizes the seriousness of these cases and we understand the public relies on our efforts to protect the community," according to a statement to KING 5. "We are investigating further to fully understand circumstances and to ensure that this will not occur again."
KCSO said upon learning of Ling's intention to travel, a detective reached out to local police for assistance in arresting him, but Ling was able to board his flight.
"As we currently do not have an extradition treaty with China, it’s not likely we will be able to apprehend," the sheriff's office said.
Ling worked as a therapist for children and adults at a local mental health clinic, KING 5 has learned. The director of the clinic said they are shocked and saddened by these charges. The director also said, to their knowledge, none of Ling's victims were his clients.
Documents also said that detectives found an application from Ling applying for a role at Seattle Children's Hospital. Seattle Children's said in a statement that Ling never worked for the hospital or its foundations. The state's Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) also confirmed Ling never worked for the agency or its contract companies.
Despite his ability to flee, Ling remains charged.
Casey McNerthney, spokesperson for the prosecuting attorney's office, said the case will not be dismissed just because Ling is no longer in the country.
"We believe everyone involved wants the same outcome: clear accountability for people who peddle in the misery of sexually abused children. Yes, this defendant left the country, but that does not mean that his felony case is dismissed or that police or prosecutors will forget about it," he said, adding that the involved agencies will continue working together "to get accountability in felony cases."