Former Bellingham Schools Official Charged With Child Rape and Molestation

Russell Kert Robinson, a 41-year-old Mukilteo School District director of athletics and safety and former Bellingham Public Schools director of safety and security, was arrested on October 29, 2026, and charged with third-degree child rape and child molestation. The charges stem from allegations made by a former student regarding sexual assaults that reportedly occurred in 2013, when the student was 14 years old.

Charges filed following student report

The Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office alleges that the crimes took place between March 25 and April 30, 2013, according to court documents. The former student, who was a freshman wrestler at Squalicum High School at the time, reported the incidents to the Bellingham Public Schools (BPS) district on October 8, 2026. The district referred the matter to the Bellingham Police Department for investigation, leading to Robinson’s arrest three weeks later.

Court records detail that the alleged victim claimed Robinson used his position of trust as a wrestling coach to facilitate the assaults. The report states that one incident allegedly occurred while Robinson was house-sitting and invited the teen to watch a movie, while another involved a shared hotel room during an Oregon wrestling tournament. The former student told police he did not report the behavior at the time due to fear of retaliation, noting that Robinson owned multiple firearms.

Professional history in school athletics

Robinson’s career in school athletics and safety spanned more than 24 years. He began his tenure at Bellingham Public Schools in 2009 as a campus monitor and served as a wrestling and football coach until 2024. In 2021, he took on districtwide health and safety responsibilities, eventually becoming the director of safety and security in 2024. He received the district’s Outstanding Leadership Award that same year.

Robinson left the Bellingham district in June 2026 to accept a position as the director of athletics and safety for the Mukilteo School District. The Mukilteo district stated that Robinson completed state and federal criminal background checks as part of his hiring process this summer. Following his arrest, the Mukilteo School District placed Robinson on administrative leave.

Court proceedings and community impact

Robinson pleaded not guilty to the charges during a court appearance on Friday. Commissioner Ann Vetter-Hansen set his bond at $100,000, which Robinson posted on Saturday, allowing for his release. As conditions of his release, the court ordered Robinson to surrender his firearms and concealed pistol licenses and issued a strict no-contact order prohibiting him from approaching the victim or any minor children.

Bellingham Public Schools issued a statement confirming they had no prior record of complaints regarding Robinson before the October 8 report. “This is deeply concerning and upsetting news, and we are focused on student safety and are taking appropriate steps to support our students and community,” the district stated. The district said it immediately reported the matter to the Bellingham Police Department and worked with the department during its investigation.