Juvenile Work Camp Staffer Accused Of Sex Misconduct

A staff member at a state juvenile work camp has been accused of engaging in sexual misconduct with teenage inmates.

Kevin C. Keo, 29, of Marysville was charged Thursday in Snohomish County Superior Court with two counts of second-degree sexual misconduct involving minors and one count of third-degree attempted child molestation, all gross misdemeanors.

County deputy prosecutor Mark Roe alleged in court documents that the incidents occurred earlier this year at Indian Ridge Juvenile Corrections Facility near Arlington, where Keo supervised boys in the honor cottage.

Several inmates ages 15 to 18 have told investigators about being fondled, groped and pressured into sexual activity, Roe says in an affidavit filed with the charges.

Keo has denied all the allegations to police.

Dean Uribe, a program manager at Indian Ridge, said Keo is not working at the camp at this time.

“After the allegations, he was put on administrative leave and hasn’t been on the property since that time,” Uribe said.

The allegations came to light after two of the inmates in Keo’s care told another staff member. Indian Ridge officials “were completely cooperative with the investigation,” Roe said.