BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A man is in custody after being accused of maintaining a sexual relationship with a minor in Bellingham.

Police spokesperson Megan Peters says that the Bellingham Police Department received a report that the suspect, 26-year-old Asher Zoutes, had sexual relations with a teenaged girl from Bellingham. Zoutes communicated with the victim through an online gaming platform earlier this year.

Their conversations moved to other apps, where the suspect received explicit photos of the teen. In February 2024, the suspect brought the teen from her home and engaged in sexual activities in his residence.

Zoutes is roughly 10 years older than the victim.

He was arrested June 13 following a months-long investigation into the nature of their relationship.