Combating child sex trafficking, Renton police recently conducted a sting operation targeting individuals seeking to engage in prostitution. Among those arrested was Alex Diaz Rios, who was serving as an assistant principal at TOPS K-8 in Seattle at the time of his arrest. He has been charged with patronizing a prostitute, a misdemeanor, with authorities stating that he was aware he was communicating with a 15-year-old boy.
Following the charges against Diaz Rios, Seattle Public Schools promptly placed him on administrative leave. The district has since confirmed that he has resigned from his position. School officials emphasized that they were not aware at the time of the charge that it involved a minor, although Renton police maintain that the school had been informed of the situation.
The sting operation, which took place in late September, resulted in the arrest of seven men, including Diaz Rios. Officers posed as 14- and 15-year-olds on social media platforms to lure potential offenders, highlighting the seriousness of the effort to protect minors from exploitation. Each of the arrested individuals has pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against them in King County Superior Court.
Deputy Chief Ryan Rutledge of the Renton Police Department explained that the operation was designed to specifically target the demand for sexual services involving minors. By posing as underage individuals, officers were able to directly engage with those seeking illegal activities, contributing to the ongoing efforts to curb child trafficking and exploitation.
In response to the incident, Seattle Public Schools has reached out to the Office of Professional Practices to formally refer Diaz Rios’ case for a thorough review of his professional license. The school district claimed they were not previously aware that the charge involved a minor. Renton police say that the school was informed. The seven men who were allegedly caught are charged in the King County Superior Court and have entered pleas of not guilty.
