Crime: 2000s,
Crime state:
Washington,
Positions: Unknown position, - Mission:
unknown
Alleged:
2 victims, Multiple victims,
Criminal case(s): Convicted, Pleaded guilty,
updated Jul 18, 2026 - request update | add info
Brian Drake was a Mormon church member in Bellingham, Whatcom County, Washington. In September 2023, he was arrested and charged with sexually abusing two girls, along with his brother Aaron Drake, from 2002 to 2009. Brian Drake was convicted in 2025.
CHARGED WITH:
3 counts: Rape of a Child 1st Degree
1count: Attempted Rape of a Child 1st Degree
7 counts: Child Molestation 1st Degree
1 count: Rape 2nd Degree
3 counts: Indecent Liberties
1 count: Assault 2nd Degree w/Sexual Motivation
1 count: incest 1st Degree
1 count: Intimidating a Witness
1 count: Rape of a Child 2nd Degree
1 count: Attempted Rape of a Child 2nd Degree
1 count: Rape of a Child 3rd Degree
1 count: Attempted Rape of a Child 3rd Degree
1 count: Child Molestation 2nd Degree
1 count: Incest 1st Degree
1 count: Voyeurism
as part of a plea deal CONVICTED OF:
1 count: first-degree child rape
1 count: second-degree child molestation
“accused of sexually abusing and torturing two female children over a seven-year span roughly two decades ago has pleaded guilty.”
Court records show Brian Drake was 10 years old when he began sexually abusing and torturing 2 female children and it continued for 7 years.
(36 Months Community Custody for Count I)
Confinement
Type: Prison
Agency: Department of Corrections
Effective Date: 03/11/2025
Term: 54 Months
36 Months Community Custody for Counts II & III)
Confinement
Type: Prison
Agency: Department of Corrections
Effective Date: 03/11/2025
Term: 60 Months
Brian Drake began his prison sentence March 18, 2025. As of July 2026 he is in prison in Coyote Ridge Corrections Center in Tumwater, Washington.
If you have any information about Brian Drake’s LDS membership history please contact us.
Have any info on this case? Contact FLOODLIT.
Sources
- Aaron Joseph Drake,
- announcement of arrest,
- 23-1-01181-37 | STATE OF WASHINGTON vs BRIAN MATTHEW DRAKE,
- Whatcom brothers accused of nearly 40 sex crimes for years-long abuse of 2 girls,
- Whatcom County Jail Roster,
- Brian Matthew Drake,
- New information on brothers accused of sex abuse in Bellingham,
- One of two Whatcom County brothers pleads guilty to child sex abuse that lasted years Read more at: https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/crime/article291336465.html#storylink=cpy,
- Second brother accused of sexually abusing, torturing 2 female children in Whatcom arrested Read more at: https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/crime/article279879784.html#storylink=cpy,
- Whatcom County brothers enter plea deals in WA and MT for unrelated sexual assault crimes,
- Whatcom County man sentenced to five years in prison for sexually abusing two young girls Read more at: https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/crime/article301857149.html#storylink=cpy,
- Prosecutors to seek extradition of Montana man accused of child sex crimes in Whatcom,
- Prosecutors to seek extradition of Montana man accused of child sex crimes in Whatcom,
- Charges amended in case against Whatcom brothers accused of years-long child sex abuse,
- Second brother accused of sexually abusing, torturing 2 female children in Whatcom arrested,
- One of two Whatcom County brothers pleads guilty to child sex abuse that lasted years,
-
1. Aaron Joseph Drake
Brother of the accused
-
2. announcement of arrest
In February of 2023, WCSO detectives took over an investigation into historical sexual assaults involving minors. Through the investigation, probable cause was established to arrest 31-year-old Brian Drake of Bellingham for:
Three counts of Rape of a Child 1st Degree
Attempted Rape of a Child 1st Degree
Seven Counts of Child Molestation 1st Degree
Rape 2nd Degree
Three counts of Indecent Liberties
Assault 2nd Degree w/Sexual Motivation
Incest 1st Degree
Intimidating a Witness
Rape of a Child 2nd Degree
Attempted Rape of a Child 2nd Degree
Rape of a Child 3rd Degree
Attempted Rape of a Child 3rd Degree
Child Molestation 2nd Degree
Incest 1st Degree
Voyeurism
The investigation found that the abuse occurred between 2002 and 2009 and involved minors known to Mr. Drake. On Tuesday, September 19, WCSO Detectives contacted Mr. Drake at his residence. He agreed to provide an interview during which he admitted to sexually assaulting the minors. He was booked into the Whatcom County Jail without incident. -
3. 23-1-01181-37 | STATE OF WASHINGTON vs BRIAN MATTHEW DRAKE
Case Information
23-1-01181-37 | STATE OF WASHINGTON vs BRIAN MATTHEW DRAKE
Case Number
23-1-01181-37Court
WhatcomJudicial Officer
Freeman, DavidFile Date
09/20/2023Case Type
ADL Criminal AdultCase Status
Active
PartyPlaintiff (Criminal)
STATE OF WASHINGTONActive Attorneys
Attorney
Richey, Eric John
Lead Attorney
Jenkins, Gordon McLeodDefendant (WIP)
DRAKE, BRIAN MATTHEWDOB
XX/XX/XXXXDisposition Events
03/11/2025 Disposition
Judicial Officer
Grochmal, Lee PGuilty
Guilty
Guilty
Charge Dropped
Charge Dropped
Charge Dropped
Charge Dropped
Charge Dropped
Charge Dropped
Charge Dropped
Charge Dropped
Charge Dropped
Charge Dropped
09/28/2023 Disposition
Charge Dropped
Charge Dropped
Charge Dropped
Charge Dropped
Charge Dropped
Charge Dropped
Charge Dropped
Charge Dropped
Charge Dropped
03/11/2025 Judgment and Sentence and Warrant of Commitment
Judgment and Sentence and Warrant of Commitment
Comment
Comment (36 Months Community Custody for Count I)
Confinement
Type: Prison
Agency: Department of Corrections
Effective Date: 03/11/2025
Term: 54 Months
Concurrent
Credit for Time Served Determined by Corrections
Restitution and Other Fees
Current Sentence Status:
Status: Set Aside
Status Date: 03/11/2025
Signing Judge: Grochmal, Lee P
Signed Date: 03/11/2025
Effective Date: 03/11/2025
Fees and Fines: $0.00
Other: $0.00
Interest: 0.00 %
03/11/2025 Judgment and Sentence and Warrant of Commitment
Judgment and Sentence and Warrant of Commitment
Judgment and Sentence and Warrant of Commitment
Comment
Comment (36 Months Community Custody for Counts II & III)
Confinement
Type: Prison
Agency: Department of Corrections
Effective Date: 03/11/2025
Term: 60 Months
Concurrent
Credit for Time Served Determined by Corrections
Events and Hearings
09/20/2023 Preliminary Appearance
Judicial Officer
Vetter-Hansen, AnnHearing Time
3:00 PM09/20/2023 Affidavit of Probable Cause
Comment
FOR ARREST09/20/2023 Acknowledgement of Advice of Rights
09/20/2023 Notice Statement of Rights
09/20/2023 Order on First Appearance of Defendant
Judicial Officer
Vetter-Hansen, Ann09/20/2023 No Contact Order
Judicial Officer
Vetter-Hansen, AnnComment
PRE-TRIAL NCO / cc: BPD09/20/2023 Order of Release
Judicial Officer
Vetter-Hansen, Ann09/20/2023 Order for Pretrial Release
Judicial Officer
Vetter-Hansen, Ann09/20/2023 Preliminary Appearance
Judicial Officer
Vetter-Hansen, AnnComment
CC23-17909/29/2023 Arraignment
Judicial Officer
Vetter-Hansen, AnnHearing Time
8:30 AM09/21/2023 Information
09/21/2023 Affidavit of Probable Cause
09/21/2023 Order Determining Probable Cause
Judicial Officer
Vetter-Hansen, AnnComment
FOR DETENTION09/22/2023 Notice of Appearance and Request for Discovery
09/28/2023 Amended Information
09/29/2023 Arraignment
Judicial Officer(s)
Keeler, Lisa M, Vetter-Hansen, AnnHearing Time
8:30 AM09/29/2023 Initial Arraignment
Judicial Officer
Vetter-Hansen, AnnComment
CC23-18609/29/2023 No Contact Order
Judicial Officer
Vetter-Hansen, AnnComment
PRE-TRIAL NCO / cc: BPD09/29/2023 Order Setting Trial Date
Judicial Officer
Vetter-Hansen, Ann09/29/2023 Demand For
Comment
Discovery - State's10/05/2023 Demand For
Comment
Discovery - State's10/05/2023 Notice of Disqualification
Comment
cc: ja / Judge David Freeman10/05/2023 Motion to Compel
Comment
& Declaration for Discovery10/05/2023 Note for Motion Docket
Comment
to Compel Discovery10/06/2023 Order for Change of Judge
Judicial Officer
Freeman, David10/06/2023 Letter
Comment
RE: Judge Change10/06/2023 Email
Comment
RE: Strike 10/12/23 Hearing Date10/12/2023 Motion to Compel
Judicial Officer
Jones, EvanHearing Time
8:30 AMCancel Reason
Defense/Respondent Requested10/13/2023 Note for Motion Docket
Comment
for Entry of CFI Protective Order10/17/2023 Motion and Affidavit Declaration
Comment
for Protective Order10/17/2023 Note for Motion Docket
Comment
to Amend No Contact Order10/23/2023 Motion
Comment
for a Capacity Hearing and Supporting Memorandum10/23/2023 Note for Motion Docket
Comment
***Special Set on 10/31/23 at 1330 in Dept. 3 for Motion for Capacity Hearing***10/25/2023 Status Conference
Judicial Officer
Freeman, DavidHearing Time
8:30 AM10/25/2023 Motion Hearing
Judicial Officer
Jones, Evan10/25/2023 Order Setting
Judicial Officer
Jones, EvanComment
Status10/25/2023 Note for Motion Docket
Comment
***Special Set on 11/02/2023 @ 1330 in Dept. 3 for Motion for Capacity Hearing*** Strike 10/31/23 Hearing10/26/2023 Motion Hearing
Judicial Officer
Grochmal, Lee PHearing Time
8:30 AMComment
for Entry of Protective Order10/26/2023 No Contact Order
Judicial Officer
Grochmal, Lee PHearing Time
8:30 AM10/26/2023 Status Conference
Judicial Officer
Grochmal, Lee PHearing Time
8:30 AM10/26/2023 Status Conference / Hearing
Judicial Officer
Grochmal, Lee P10/26/2023 No Contact Order
Judicial Officer
Grochmal, Lee PComment
Pre-Trial NCO / cc: WCSO10/26/2023 Protective Order
Judicial Officer
Grochmal, Lee P10/26/2023 Order of Continuance
Judicial Officer
Grochmal, Lee PComment
Agreed11/02/2023 Capacity/Competency
Judicial Officer
Grochmal, Lee PHearing Time
01:30 PM11/07/2023 Note for Motion Docket
Comment
***Special Set on 11/29/23 @ 0830 in Dept. 3 for Capacity Hearing***11/08/2023 Agreed Order
Judicial Officer
Grochmal, Lee PComment
to Hold Capacity Hearing11/20/2023 Jury Trial
Judicial Officer
Grochmal, Lee PHearing Time
9:00 AMCancel Reason
Continuance11/29/2023 Capacity/Competency
Judicial Officer
Grochmal, Lee PHearing Time
8:30 AM12/13/2023 Status Conference
Judicial Officer
Grochmal, Lee PHearing Time
8:30 AM12/13/2023 Status Conference / Hearing
Judicial Officer
Grochmal, Lee P12/13/2023 Order of Continuance
Judicial Officer
Grochmal, Lee PComment
Agreed01/08/2024 Jury Trial
Judicial Officer
Olson, Robert EHearing Time
8:30 AMCancel Reason
Continuance01/24/2024 Status Conference
Judicial Officer
Jones, EvanHearing Time
8:30 AM01/24/2024 Status Conference / Hearing
Judicial Officer
Jones, Evan01/24/2024 Order of Continuance
Judicial Officer
Jones, EvanComment
Agreed02/07/2024 Status Conference
Judicial Officer
Grochmal, Lee PHearing Time
8:30 AM02/07/2024 Hearing Cancelled Stipulated
02/07/2024 Order of Continuance
Judicial Officer
Grochmal, Lee PComment
Agreed02/20/2024 Jury Trial
Judicial Officer
Grochmal, Lee PHearing Time
8:30 AMCancel Reason
Continuance03/04/2024 Jury Trial
Judicial Officer
Jones, EvanHearing Time
8:30 AMCancel Reason
Continuance03/13/2024 Status Conference
Judicial Officer
Freeman, DavidHearing Time
8:30 AM03/13/2024 Motion Hearing
Judicial Officer
Freeman, DavidComment
D424-04703/13/2024 Order Setting
Judicial Officer
Freeman, DavidComment
Status03/14/2024 Status Conference
Judicial Officer
Freeman, DavidHearing Time
8:30 AM03/14/2024 Hearing Cancelled Stipulated
03/14/2024 Order Setting
Judicial Officer
Freeman, DavidComment
Status03/21/2024 Status Conference
Judicial Officer
Olson, Robert EHearing Time
8:30 AM03/21/2024 Status Conference / Hearing
Judicial Officer
Olson, Robert E03/21/2024 Order of Continuance
Judicial Officer
Olson, Robert EComment
Agreed04/08/2024 Jury Trial
Judicial Officer
Olson, Robert EHearing Time
8:30 AMCancel Reason
Continuance04/17/2024 Status Conference
Judicial Officer
Olson, Robert EHearing Time
8:30 AM04/17/2024 Hearing Cancelled Stipulated
04/17/2024 Order of Continuance
Judicial Officer
Olson, Robert EComment
Agreed05/13/2024 Jury Trial
Judicial Officer
Olson, Robert EHearing Time
8:30 AMCancel Reason
Continuance05/29/2024 Status Conference
Judicial Officer
Jones, EvanHearing Time
8:30 AM05/29/2024 Status Conference / Hearing
Judicial Officer
Jones, Evan05/29/2024 Order of Continuance
Judicial Officer
Jones, EvanComment
Agreed06/24/2024 Jury Trial
Judicial Officer
Jones, EvanHearing Time
8:30 AMCancel Reason
Continuance06/26/2024 Status Conference
Judicial Officer
Grochmal, Lee PHearing Time
8:30 AM06/26/2024 Status Conference / Hearing
Judicial Officer
Grochmal, Lee P06/26/2024 Order of Continuance
Judicial Officer
Grochmal, Lee PComment
Agreed07/22/2024 Jury Trial
Judicial Officer
Jones, EvanHearing Time
8:30 AMCancel Reason
Continuance07/24/2024 Status Conference
Judicial Officer
Jones, EvanHearing Time
8:30 AM07/24/2024 Status Conference / Hearing
Judicial Officer
Jones, Evan07/24/2024 Order of Continuance
Judicial Officer
Jones, EvanComment
Agreed08/19/2024 Jury Trial
Judicial Officer
Jones, EvanHearing Time
8:30 AMCancel Reason
Continuance08/19/2024 Note for Motion Docket
Comment
Plea Only08/21/2024 Status Conference
Judicial Officer
Jones, EvanHearing Time
8:30 AM08/21/2024 Hearing Cancelled Stipulated
08/21/2024 Agreed Order
Judicial Officer
Jones, EvanComment
Maintaining Trial Date without Jury & Striking Status Hearing08/22/2024 Guilty Plea Only
Judicial Officer
Jones, EvanHearing Time
8:30 AM08/22/2024 Guilty Plea Only Hearing
Judicial Officer
Jones, Evan08/22/2024 Information
Comment
Second08/22/2024 Statement of Defendant on Plea of Guilty
Judicial Officer
Jones, Evan08/22/2024 Case Resolution Guilty Plea Before Trial Commencement
08/22/2024 Presentence Investigation Order
Judicial Officer
Jones, Evan08/22/2024 Order of Remand
Judicial Officer
Jones, EvanComment
to the Custody of Whatcom County Jail08/22/2024 Order Setting
Judicial Officer
Jones, EvanComment
Sentencing09/16/2024 Jury Trial
Judicial Officer
Grochmal, Lee PHearing Time
8:30 AMCancel Reason
Plea Entered10/16/2024 Order Setting
Judicial Officer
Jones, EvanComment
Sentencing10/17/2024 Sentencing Hearing
Judicial Officer
Jones, EvanHearing Time
8:30 AMCancel Reason
Continuance11/07/2024 Sentencing Hearing
Judicial Officer
Jones, EvanHearing Time
8:30 AM11/07/2024 Hearing Cancelled Stipulated
11/07/2024 Order Setting
Judicial Officer
Jones, EvanComment
Sentencing12/05/2024 Sentencing Hearing
Judicial Officer
Olson, Robert EHearing Time
8:30 AM12/05/2024 Hearing Cancelled Stipulated
12/05/2024 Order Setting
Judicial Officer
Olson, Robert EComment
Sentencing01/09/2025 Sentencing Hearing
Judicial Officer
Slattery, Jennifer EHearing Time
8:30 AM01/09/2025 Hearing Cancelled Stipulated
01/09/2025 Order Setting
Judicial Officer
Slattery, Jennifer EComment
Sentencing (Placeholder)01/15/2025 Pre Sentencing Information Report
02/05/2025 Note for Motion Docket
Comment
***Special Set for 2/25/25 at 1:30pm in Dept 3 for Sentencing***02/06/2025 Sentencing Hearing
Judicial Officer
Slattery, Jennifer EHearing Time
8:30 AM02/06/2025 Hearing Cancelled Stipulated
02/06/2025 Order Setting
Judicial Officer
Jones, EvanComment
***Special Set for 2/25/25 at 1:30pm in Dept 3 for Sentencing***02/12/2025 Sentencing Hearing
Judicial Officer
Grochmal, Lee PHearing Time
8:30 AMCancel Reason
Unspecified02/18/2025 Memorandum
Comment
in Support of Sentencing Recommendation and Objections to Community Custody Conditions02/25/2025 Sentencing Hearing
Judicial Officer
Grochmal, Lee PHearing Time
01:30 PMCancel Reason
Stricken02/28/2025 Note for Motion Docket
Comment
***Special Set for 03/11/25 @ 8:30am in Dept 3 for Sentencing***03/11/2025 Sentencing Hearing
Judicial Officer
Grochmal, Lee PHearing Time
8:30 AM03/11/2025 Sentencing Hearing
Judicial Officer
Grochmal, Lee P03/11/2025 Judgment and Sentence and Warrant of Commitment
Judicial Officer
Grochmal, Lee P03/11/2025 Case Resolution Guilty Plea Before Trial Commencement
10/07/2025 Notice of Withdrawal of Attorney
-
4. Whatcom brothers accused of nearly 40 sex crimes for years-long abuse of 2 girls
Two Whatcom County men are facing nearly 40 felony sex crimes for allegedly sexually abusing and torturing two female children over a seven-year span roughly two decades ago.
Prosecutors charged Brian Matthew Drake and Aaron Joseph Drake, who are brothers, with 37 crimes — all but one of which are felonies and all but two of which are sex crimes, according to Whatcom County Superior Court records.
Brian Matthew Drake, 31, of Bellingham, was charged Thursday, Sept. 21, with six counts of first-degree child molestation, three counts of first-degree child rape, three counts of first-degree incest, three counts of indecent liberties, one count of second-degree rape by forcible compulsion, one count of second-degree assault, one count of third-degree rape, one count of attempted first-degree child rape, one count of attempted third-degree rape, one count of voyeurism, and one count of intimidating a witness.
Aaron Joseph Drake, 33, of Billings, Montana, was also charged Thursday with four counts of first-degree child molestation, two counts of first-degree child rape, two counts of first-degree incest, two counts of second-degree child rape, one count of second-degree child molestation, one count of third-degree child rape, one count of indecent liberties, one count of voyeurism, and one count of attempted first-degree child rape.
The sexual abuses, which occurred between 2002 and 2009 in the Marietta-Alderwood area of Whatcom County, began when the two female children were between the ages of 4 and 11.
The girls, who were known to the Drakes, are now in their mid-to-late 20s.
Brian Drake was 10 years old, while Aaron Drake was 12 years old, at the time they first began abusing the two girls, court records show.
Brian Drake was arrested at his Bellingham residence on Tuesday, Sept. 19.
He is currently incarcerated in the Whatcom County Jail in lieu of $350,000 bail with no cash alternative, which was set at his first appearance in court Wednesday, Sept. 20.
A sexual assault protection order was also put in place between Brian Drake and the two victims, now women.
If Brian Drake posts bond and is released from custody, he will not be allowed to have contact with anyone under the age of 18.
His arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 29.
Aaron Drake is not yet in custody and a nationwide extraditable warrant for his arrest was issued Thursday.
Aaron Drake is described as a white adult male, with brown hair and green eyes, standing roughly 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighing 180 pounds.
His last known address was in Billings, Montana, according to court records.
Aaron Drake is also facing a separate child sex crime case in Montana, in which he is accused of sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl who was known to him.
He has been charged with one count of sexual intercourse without consent, one count of assault that inflicts bodily injury or the victim is under age 16, and two counts of assault with a weapon in the Montana case.
He was arrested last year for the alleged crimes, the court records state.
The Bellingham Herald has reached out to the Whatcom County prosecutor’s office and Brian Drake’s defense attorney for comment.
Initial disclosure In late February, a woman in her mid-20s went with her mother to the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office to report a sex crime that occurred in 2002.
The woman told detectives that beginning in 2002 when she was roughly 4 years old, Brian and Aaron Drake, who were known to the woman, started sexually abusing her.
The woman said the abuse continued until she was roughly 11 years old, according to court records.
The woman told detectives she began to remember certain incidents from her childhood and told her spouse in December 2022 that she was sexually abused as a child.
In early February, the woman disclosed the abuse to her parents, the court records state.
The woman told sheriff’s detectives that she was first abused by Brian Drake at age 4.
While she was in a car with Brian Drake, who was roughly 10 years old at the time, he began to touch her inappropriately while she was in her car seat.
The woman said no one else in the vehicle saw because the children were in the backseat at the time, according to court records.
The woman told detectives that she remembered both Brian and Aaron Drake sexually abusing her in specific locations in the Drakes’ Whatcom County home and in a tree fort all of the children had access to.
Aaron Drake was roughly 12 years old when he began abusing the girl.
She said that between the ages of 4 and 11, she was repeatedly groped, molested and raped by Brian and Aaron Drake.
The woman said that when she was between ages 4 and 7, the abuses were not as frequent or severe.
Once she turned 7, the abuse became more intense, severe and happened multiple times a week, she said.
She was regularly restrained and raped by the Drake brothers.
She said she experienced “trauma amnesia” from her childhood but that flashbacks were starting to come back to her, according to court documents.
The woman recounted horrific details of the abuse in which the Drake brothers would gag her with a cloth, saltine crackers, peanut butter or white bread and duct tape her mouth to muffle her screams while they raped her.
The woman said Brian and Aaron Drake “would team up” and restrain her using twine, rope, clothing, zip ties and wrist restraints to hold her down while they sexually abused her.
She also told detectives that Brian and Aaron Drake used multiple foreign objects to sexually assault her, the court records state.
The woman also disclosed to detectives incidents where she was suffocated and choked by Brian Drake.
She said Brian Drake threatened her by telling her that if she told anyone, “things were going to get worse.
” Brian Drake also told the girl he would kill her if she said anything, according to court records.
The woman said that when she was around 8 or 9 years old, Aaron and Brian Drake would sexually assault her at the same time.
The woman told detectives that she would often be forced into a room with Brian and Aaron Drake and one would block the door while the other sexually assaulted her.
The men would then switch, the records state.
She also said there were times when Brian Drake would sexually assault her without Aaron Drake.
When the woman would tell him to stop, Brian Drake would tell the woman he could “make it feel better for her,” the court documents state.
The woman told detectives that Brian and Aaron Drake did not use condoms when they raped her, but said she thinks the Drake brothers began using condoms after she experienced a pregnancy scare.
The woman said “she felt a lot of pain, shame and guilt.
She advised she tried to disassociate as much as possible during this time,” court records state.
The woman told detectives she thinks she may have physical scars from some of the abuse.
The woman told detectives the sexual assaults stopped when Brian and Aaron Drake’s parents found one of Aaron Drake’s journal entries on his computer.
Aaron Drake had written that he was sorry for what he did, and named a second female child in his apology.
The entry did not include details, but did state that Aaron Drake was sorry, court documents show.
Second disclosure The second woman, who is now in her late 20s, told sheriff’s detectives that she was also sexually abused by Brian and Aaron Drake when she was a child.
In an early June interview with sheriff’s detectives, the woman disclosed that she was repeatedly raped and molested by Brian and Aaron Drake, who were known to her, while she was between the ages of 11 and 16.
The woman said she was first sexually abused by Aaron Drake in 2005 when she was 11 years old.
Aaron Drake was roughly 15 at the time.
She told detectives the assaults started with minor touches during things like back massages.
The woman said it “made her very uncomfortable and (she) didn’t know how to say anything about it,” the court records state.
The woman told detectives Aaron and Brian Drake would sexually assault her at the same time and that the brothers would “feed off of each other in what they were doing.
” When she would tell the Drake brothers “no,” they would make her feel guilty.
She said they would tell her she would get into trouble if she didn’t do what they wanted her to, court records show.
The woman told detectives Aaron and Brian Drake would say cruel things to her and make her “feel ‘dirty’ all the time.
” She said she felt like Aaron and Brian Drake coerced her to have sex with them, documents state.
The woman said she “remembers a lot of things happened over and over again and it all flashes together,” according to court records.
The woman told detectives that both Aaron and Brian Drake raped her when she was between 11 and 16 years old.
She said neither of the men would use condoms while they sexually assaulted her.
The woman told detectives she would punch herself in the stomach to try to cause a miscarriage in case she was pregnant.
The woman said this was before she was physically able to have children, court records show.
The woman also confirmed that the sexual abuse stopped when Aaron and Brian Drake’s parents found Aaron Drake’s journal entry stating he was sorry for what he had done to her.
Church contact Sheriff’s detectives learned that Aaron and Brian Drake’s parents had questioned the boys about the abuse.
The parents said they were under the impression the Drake brothers were only inappropriate with the two girls “a couple of times,” court documents state.
The first woman told detectives she and the second girl didn’t fully disclose the abuse to the Drake brothers’ parents because they were scared.
Brian and Aaron Drake’s parents told detectives that they sought help from their church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, informally known as the Mormon Church.
The church told Brian and Aaron Drake’s parents to separate the boys from the two girls, according to court records.
When contacted by sheriff’s detectives, the bishop of the church confirmed he had met with Brian and Aaron Drake’s parents in 2009 or 2010.
The bishop said he was told there were “some inappropriate actions toward” the girls.
The bishop told detectives that “safety measures” had been put in place “to protect the girls” and that Brian and Aaron Drake’s parents were seeking legal counsel, according to court records.
Admissions Sheriff’s detectives also contacted Brian Drake’s ex-wife, with whom he has a 5-year-old daughter.
The woman told detectives that “she has been waiting for several years for a call from law enforcement,” court documents state.
The woman told detectives in February 2018 that the first woman disclosed to her that she had been sexually abused by Brian Drake as a child.
Brian Drake’s ex-wife told detectives she didn’t remember specifics, but remembered the woman told her Brian Drake raped her.
Brian Drake’s ex-wife confronted him about the allegations later that same day and recorded the conversation.
During the confrontation, Brian Drake admitted to sexually abusing the second woman and did not deny sexually abusing the first woman, according to court documents.
On the recording, Brian Drake said “he thought that part of his life was ‘done and over with and buried.
’” He then told his ex-wife that he had gone to the bishop and the stake president at the church about the abuses and “received counseling,” the records state.
“That was who I was and that’s not who I am anymore,” Brian Drake said on the recording.
He also told his ex-wife that there had been something wrong with him since he was at least 3 years old and that “there’s something incredibly wrong with him,” according to court records.
After Brian Drake admitted to the sexual abuse, he threatened to kill himself.
He prepared apology notes to both women.
His ex-wife took possession of the letters and kept them, the court documents state.
Sheriff’s detectives arrested Brian Drake at his Bellingham home on Tuesday, Sept. 19.
During a two-hour interview with detectives, Brian Drake admitted to sexually assaulting both women multiple times with and without his brother, Aaron Drake, according to court records.
-
5. Whatcom County Jail Roster
DRAKE, BRIAN MATTHEW 09-19-2023 14:25 MAIN JAIL 2ND 2E09 120459
Booking Agency: WHATCOM COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE
Booking Number: 59270
Booking Type: LOCAL CHARGE
Signup for Inmate Status Notifications
Arrest Origin Event # Arrest Type Offense Description Case # Court Bail Amount Bail Type Disposition Disposition Date
WHATCOM COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE 23A04376 ASSAULT 2ND ASSAULT 2ND SEXUAL MOTIVATION 2310118137 WHATCOM CO SUPERIOR CRT $350,000.00 APPEARANCE BOND
WHATCOM COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE 23A04376 RAPE RAPE 2ND 2310118137 WHATCOM CO SUPERIOR CRT INCLUDED APPEARANCE BOND
WHATCOM COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE 23A04376 RAPE CHILD RAPE 1ST 2310118137 WHATCOM CO SUPERIOR CRT INCLUDED APPEARANCE BOND
WHATCOM COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE 23A04376 RAPE CHILD RAPE 1ST 2310118137 WHATCOM CO SUPERIOR CRT INCLUDED APPEARANCE BOND
WHATCOM COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE 23A04376 RAPE CHILD RAPE 2ND 2310118137 WHATCOM CO SUPERIOR CRT INCLUDED APPEARANCE BOND
WHATCOM COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE 23A04376 RAPE CHILD RAPE 2ND 2310118137 WHATCOM CO SUPERIOR CRT INCLUDED APPEARANCE BOND
WHATCOM COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE 23A04376 RAPE CHILD RAPE 3RD 2310118137 WHATCOM CO SUPERIOR CRT INCLUDED APPEARANCE BOND
WHATCOM COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE 23A04376 RAPE CHILD RAPE 3RD 2310118137 WHATCOM CO SUPERIOR CRT INCLUDED APPEARANCE BOND
WHATCOM COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE 23A04376 SEX OFF, FONDLING CHILD MOLEST 1ST 2310118137 WHATCOM CO SUPERIOR CRT INCLUDED APPEARANCE BOND
WHATCOM COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE 23A04376 SEX OFF, FONDLING CHILD MOLEST 2ND 2310118137 WHATCOM CO SUPERIOR CRT INCLUDED APPEARANCE BOND
WHATCOM COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE 23A04376 SEX OFF, FONDLING INDECENT LIBERTIES 2310118137 WHATCOM CO SUPERIOR CRT INCLUDED APPEARANCE BOND
WHATCOM COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE 23A04376 SEX OFF, FONDLING VOYEURISM 2310118137 WHATCOM CO SUPERIOR CRT INCLUDED APPEARANCE BOND
WHATCOM COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE 23A04376 SEX OFF, INCEST INCEST 1ST 2310118137 WHATCOM CO SUPERIOR CRT INCLUDED APPEARANCE BOND
WHATCOM COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE 23A04376 SEX OFF, INCEST INCEST 1ST 2310118137 WHATCOM CO SUPERIOR CRT INCLUDED APPEARANCE BOND
WHATCOM COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE 23A04376 INTIMIDATION INTIMIDATE WITNESS 2310118137 WHATCOM CO SUPERIOR CRT INCLUDED APPEARANCE BOND -
6. Brian Matthew Drake
BRIAN MATTHEW DRAKE
Custody RecordAge
34
Gender
Male
Race
WhiteYou are not signed up for notifications
Record Details
Record Details
Get Notified
Get NotifiedAliases
BRIAN DRAKE, BRIAN M DRAKE
ID Number
444***Custody Status Date
Apr 24, 2025 02:06 PM PDT
Custody Status
In Custody
Custody Detail
Coyote Ridge Corrections Center
Book Date
Mar 18, 2025 12:00 AM PDTLocation
Coyote Ridge Corrections Center
Reporting Agency
Washington Department of Corrections
7345 Linderson Way SW
Tumwater, WA 98501
(360) 725-8213 -
7. New information on brothers accused of sex abuse in Bellingham
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – New information has been released following an investigation that led to the arrest of a Bellingham man on child sex abuse charges.
Court documents state the suspect, 31-year-old Brian Drake, was arrested on Tuesday, September 19th, after an investigation was launched against him in February.
Two victims, who are now adults, told investigators that Brian and his brother, 33-year-old Aaron Drake, repeatedly molested and raped them when they were children.
The abuse allegedly occurred between 2002 and 2009 at the Drakes’ home in Bellingham.
Both victims confirmed that the abuse ended after the Drakes’ parents found an apology note to the victims on Aaron’s computer.
Investigators say that Brian Drake’s ex-wife confronted him about these allegations in 2018 after one of the victims disclosed the abuse to her.
In a recording taken of that conversation, Brian admitted to some of the abuse allegations, but maintained that he has changed since then.
Brian remains at the Whatcom County Jail on $350,000 bail.
Aaron Drake’s last known location was in Montana, and a warrant for his arrest has been issued out of Whatcom County.
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8. One of two Whatcom County brothers pleads guilty to child sex abuse that lasted years Read more at: https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/crime/article291336465.html#storylink=cpy
One of two brothers accused of sexually abusing and torturing two female children over a seven-year span roughly two decades ago has pleaded guilty.
Brian Matthew Drake, 32, of Bellingham, pleaded guilty Thursday, Aug. 22, in Whatcom County Superior Court to felony charges including one count each of first-degree child rape and second-degree child molestation.
The Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is expected to recommend Brian Drake serve five years in prison, with three years probation at his sentencing hearing. He is also expected to be required to register as a sex offender, according to court records.
Brian Drake’s sentencing is expected to be set sometime within the next three months.
A pre-sentence investigation report conducted by the Washington State Department of Corrections is required by law to be completed prior to Brian Drake’s sentencing hearing. The investigation, which will cover Brian Drake’s version of the events, victim impacts, and Brian Drake’s personal, professional, medical and social history, will also include a conclusion and recommendation as to whether or not specialized community-based or institutional treatment would serve the best interests of the community and Brian Drake. The report is due within 60 days.
Brian Drake was taken into custody following his guilty plea on Thursday and will remain incarcerated without bail until his sentencing hearing.
Drake had previously been incarcerated in the downtown Whatcom County Jail since his arrest Sept. 19, 2023, in lieu of $350,000 bail with no cash alternative.
Prosecutors originally charged Brian Drake, and his brother Aaron Joseph Drake, in mid-September 2023 with 37 crimes between the two of them. All but one of the crimes were felonies and all but two were sex crimes, according to court records.
Prosecutors then amended the brothers’ charges in late September 2023, dropping 12 of the original charges due to statute of limitations concerns, The Bellingham Herald previously reported.
Brian Drake was then facing six counts of first-degree child molestation, three counts of first-degree child rape, two counts of first-degree incest, one count of second-degree rape and one count of attempted first-degree child rape. All of the charges, which are felonies, included an aggravating factor that alleged the crimes were part of an ongoing pattern of sexual abuse of the same victim under the age of 18 manifested by multiple incidents over a prolonged period of time.
His charges were significantly reduced in exchange for his guilty pleas Thursday, as part of a joint recommendation between the prosecuting and defense attorneys, court records show.
Aaron Joseph Drake, 33, of Billings, Mont., is still facing four counts of first-degree child molestation, two counts of first-degree child rape, two counts of second-degree child rape, one count of third-degree child rape, one count of second-degree child molestation and one count of attempted first-degree child rape. All of his charges, which are felonies, also include the aggravating factor alleging an ongoing pattern of sexual abuse over a prolonged period of time, the court records state.
Aaron Drake has yet to make his first court appearance in Washington because he is currently incarcerated in a detention center in Montana. A nationwide extraditable warrant went out for his arrest Sept. 21, 2023 out of Whatcom County. Aaron Drake was arrested three days later, on Sept. 24, 2023, and booked into the Yellowstone County Detention Facility in Billings, Mont., where he currently remains.
In addition to the Washington state case, Aaron Drake is also facing a child sex crime case in Montana. At the time the Whatcom County charges were filed against Aaron Drake, he was awaiting trial in a Yellowstone County District Court case in Montana.
Yellowstone County prosecutors charged Aaron Drake with one count of sexual intercourse without consent in late July 2022. Prosecutors also included the alternative crimes of one count of sexual assault that inflicts bodily injury or the victim is less than 16 years old, and two counts of assault with a weapon, according to Montana court documents.
Prosecutors allege that Aaron Drake molested a female child when she was around 7 or 8 years old. The child, who is known to Aaron Drake, disclosed the sexual abuse during an interview with police regarding a separate incident, The Herald previously reported.
The Herald’s policy is to avoid identifying victims of sex crimes when possible.
Aaron Drake has a change of plea hearing scheduled for Aug. 28 in the Montana case, according to Montana court records.
It’s possible that Aaron Drake may have to resolve his charges in Montana before being extradited to Washington state to face the sex crime charges against him here. It’s unclear whether or when Aaron Drake may appear in a Washington state court.
Whatcom County senior deputy prosecuting attorney Gordon Jenkins declined at this time to comment on Brian Drake’s guilty pleas.
The Herald has reached out to Brian Drake’s defense attorney.
Admission of abuse
The sexual abuse, which occurred from 2002 and 2009 in the Marietta-Alderwood area of Whatcom County, began when the two female children were between the ages of 4 and 11. The girls, who were known to the Drakes, are now in their mid- to late-20s.
Brian Drake was 10 years old, while Aaron Drake was 12 years old, at the time they first began abusing the two girls, court records show.
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office started an investigation into the sexual abuse after one of the women, then in her mid-20s, went with her mother in late February 2023 to disclose the sex abuse.
The woman described violent, graphic sexual abuse to sheriff’s deputies, which she said started around age 4. She told investigators she was regularly restrained and raped by the Drake brothers at various locations in the Drakes’ Whatcom County home and in a tree fort all of the children had access to, The Herald previously reported.
The woman told law enforcement Brian Drake threatened her by telling her that if she told anyone, “things were going to get worse.” Brian Drake also told the girl he would kill her if she said anything, court documents state.
Following his arrest in mid-September 2023, Brian Drake admitted to sexually assaulting both women multiple times with and without his brother, Aaron Drake, during a two-hour interview with detectives, court documents state.
Resources
▪ Brigid Collins Family Support Center: 360-734-4616, brigidcollins.org Brigid Collins Family Support Center professionals are on-call between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, to answer questions about children, families, abuse prevention or treatment at (360) 734-4616.
▪ Child Protective Services: Washington state hotline for reporting child abuse and neglect, 866-829-2153. ▪ Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services: 24-hour Help Line: 360-715-1563, Email: info@dvsas.org. ▪ Lummi Victims of Crime: 360-312-2015.
▪ Tl’ils Ta’á’altha Victims of Crime: 360-325-3310 or nooksacktribe.org/departments/youth-family-services/tlils-taaaltha-victims-of-crime-program/
▪ Bellingham Police: You can call anonymously at 360-778-8611, or go online at cob.org/tips. ▪ WWU Consultation and Sexual Assault Support Survivor Advocacy Services: 360-650-3700 or wp.wwu.edu/sexualviolence/. If you or a child is in immediate danger, call 911 and make a report to law enforcement. To report child abuse or neglect call 1-866-END HARM.
▪ NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Whatcom: https://www.namiwhatcom.org/crisis-resources.html ▪ Washington State Crisis Line/National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 or text HOME to 741741 for a crisis counselor ▪ Whatcom County Triage Center Crisis Line: 800-584-3578
This story was originally published August 22, 2024 at 5:39 PM.
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9. Second brother accused of sexually abusing, torturing 2 female children in Whatcom arrested Read more at: https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/crime/article279879784.html#storylink=cpy
This story has been updated The second man accused of sexually abusing and torturing two female children with his brother over a seven-year span roughly two decades ago in Whatcom County has been arrested in southern Montana.
Aaron Joseph Drake, 33, was arrested Sunday, Sept. 24, and booked into the Yellowstone County Detention Facility in Billings, Montana, where he currently remains.
A nationwide extraditable warrant for Aaron Drake’s arrest was issued Thursday, Sept. 21, out of Whatcom County, The Bellingham Herald previously reported.
Whatcom County prosecutors charged Aaron Joseph Drake and Brian Matthew Drake, who are brothers, with 37 crimes between the two of them last week — all but one of which are felonies and all but two of which are sex crimes, according to Whatcom County Superior Court records.
Brian Matthew Drake, 31, of Bellingham, was charged Sept. 21 with six counts of first-degree child molestation, three counts of first-degree child rape, three counts of first-degree incest, three counts of indecent liberties, one count of second-degree rape by forcible compulsion, one count of second-degree assault, one count of third-degree rape, one count of attempted first-degree child rape, one count of attempted third-degree rape, one count of voyeurism, and one count of intimidating a witness.
Aaron Joseph Drake, 33, of Billings, Montana, was also charged Sept. 21 with four counts of first-degree child molestation, two counts of first-degree child rape, two counts of first-degree incest, two counts of second-degree child rape, one count of second-degree child molestation, one count of third-degree child rape, one count of indecent liberties, one count of voyeurism, and one count of attempted first-degree child rape.
Brian Drake was arrested at his Bellingham residence on Sept. 19. He currently is in the Whatcom County Jail in lieu of $350,000 bail with no cash alternative, which was set at his first appearance in court on Sept. 20.
A sexual assault protection order was put in place between Brian Drake and the two victims, who are now adults. If Brian Drake posts bond and is released from custody, he will not be allowed to have contact with anyone under the age of 18.
His arraignment was scheduled for Sept. 29.
Aaron Drake was arrested Sunday, Sept. 24, in Billings, Montana, three days after a nationwide extraditable warrant was issued for his arrest. Yellowstone County Detention Facility officials confirmed Thursday, Sept. 28, that Aaron Drake was arrested Sunday on the Washington state warrant. He made his first appearance in Yellowstone County Justice Court on Monday, Sept. 25. He refused to waive extradition at the hearing, meaning he did not consent to be voluntarily transferred from Montana to Washington.
The state of Washington has until Oct. 25 to request a governor’s warrant of extradition for Aaron Drake, but can request a 60-day extension, according to Chief Deputy Yellowstone County Attorney Christopher Morris.
In between that time, Aaron Drake could decide to waive extradition; to challenge identification, arguing that he is not the person Washington state is seeking, or Washington state could drop the extradition warrant, Morris told The Herald by email.
The Whatcom County prosecutor’s office said it is seeking a governor’s warrant to extradite Aaron Drake, according to Whatcom County Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Gordon Jenkins.
“It’s something that’s a relatively high priority for us,” Jenkins said Thursday, Sept. 28
Aaron Drake is currently incarcerated in the Yellowstone County Detention Facility in lieu of $500,000 bond, which was set at his first court appearance in Montana last week.
This story was originally published September 28, 2023 at 12:26 PM.
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10. Whatcom County brothers enter plea deals in WA and MT for unrelated sexual assault crimes
WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — Aaron Joseph Drake and Brian Matthew Drake have recently pled guilty to reduced charges and received sentences. Brian was facing charges in Whatcom County Superior Court and Aaron was facing charges in Yellowstone County District Court in Montana. Aaron still has charges to face in Whatcom County Superior Court.
Both were accused of multiple sex and assault crimes in 2023 related to assaults that occurred over years on 2 females known to them. Aaron’s charges in Montana were unrelated and in addition to these local crimes.
Aaron was charged and arrested in Montana in 2022 on suspicion of sexual intercourse without consent, assault with victim younger than 16 and 2 counts of assault with a weapon. He pled guilty to 1 assault with a weapon charge and the other charges were dismissed. In December of 2024, he was sentenced to 120 months (10 years) in custody and is currently serving the remainder of that sentence in a Montana Department of Corrections facility. He still faces the following charges in Whatcom County Superior Court.
multiple counts of 1st-, 2nd-, 3rd-degree rape of a child
multiple counts of 1st-, 2nd-degree child molestation
2 counts 1st-degree incest
voyeurismBrian recently pled guilty in Whatcom County Superior Court to the following charges.
1st-degree rape of a child
2nd-degree child molestation
1st-degree incestOn March 11, 2025, Brian was sentenced to 60 months (5 years) prison custody with credit for time served followed by 26 months community service.
Prior to sentencing, Brian’s defense filed a memorandum with the court supporting an exceptional sentence below the standard range. They noted that Brian was under the age to twelve when the crimes began, and “There are no allegations of a continued wrongdoing after these actions were brought to his parents’ attention and the wrongfulness of the conduct was made clear to him.”
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11. Whatcom County man sentenced to five years in prison for sexually abusing two young girls Read more at: https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/crime/article301857149.html#storylink=cpy
Brian Matthew Drake, one of two brothers accused of sexually abusing and torturing two young girls in Bellingham about 20 years ago, was sentenced Tuesday morning to five years in prison followed by three years in community custody. Drake, 33, pleaded guilty in Whatcom County Superior Court in late August to felony charges including first-degree child rape and second-degree child molestation. According to court records, Drake abused the two girls, both of whom were known to him, repeatedly over the course of seven years. The Bellingham Herald’s policy is to avoid identifying victims of sex crimes when possible. Drake was arrested in September 2023 and has been in Whatcom County Jail without bail since then. One of the girls he pleaded guilty to sexually abusing went to police about the abuse about seven months prior to his arrest, according to court documents.
Read more at: https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/crime/article301857149.html#storylink=cpy
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12. Prosecutors to seek extradition of Montana man accused of child sex crimes in Whatcom
Aaron Drake facing 15 charges in connection with Bellingham brother arrested last week
Whatcom County prosecutors intend to seek the extradition of a Montana man accused of multiple felonies related to child rape, child molestation and incest in the Bellingham area.
Aaron Drake, 33, was arrested on Sunday, Sept. 24 in Yellowstone County, Montana, and faces 15 charges that mirror those filed against his brother, Brian Drake, who was arrested in Bellingham last week on suspicion of two dozen sex crimes.
County Prosecuting Attorney Gordon Jenkins told Cascadia Daily News he has no estimate on the timeline of the extradition, and that it’s too early to say whether it will have an effect on Brian Drake’s court proceedings.
Together, the brothers face nearly 40 felony charges over incidents that occurred between 2002 and 2009.
The pair were living in the Marietta-Alderwood area, west of Bellingham, when they allegedly abused two children known to them over a multi-year span. The abuse began when Brian Drake was 10 and Aaron Drake was 12, and involved two victims known to them then aged 4 and 11, according to charging documents.
Brian Drake reportedly admitted to the assaults during an interview with local authorities, and is currently incarcerated in the Whatcom County Jail in lieu of $350,000 bail. If he is able to post bail, he will not be allowed to have contact with anyone under the age of 18 or with either of the alleged victims.
The victims, now in their 20s, described years of abuse at the hands of the Drake brothers, and court records indicate they were afraid to fully disclose details of the abuse.
The Drake brothers’ parents sought support from a bishop at their church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, around 2009 or 2010, according to court documents. The parents did not know the extent of the abuse, court documents state, and “were under the impression that Aaron and Brian were only inappropriate with [the victims] a couple of times.”
When contacted by Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, Brian Drake’s ex-wife said she had been waiting “for several years” for a call from law enforcement over the crimes, which she said she learned about in February 2018, just six months after the birth of their daughter.
AdvertisementCharges against Brian Drake include six counts of first-degree child molestation, three counts of first-degree child rape, three counts of first-degree incest, three counts of indecent liberties, one count of second-degree rape by forcible compulsion, one count of second-degree assault, one count of third-degree rape, one count of attempted first-degree child rape, one count of attempted third-degree rape, one count of voyeurism and one count of intimidation of a witness.
Charges against Aaron Drake include four counts of first-degree child molestation, two counts of first-degree child rape, two counts of first-degree incest, two counts of second-degree child rape, one count of second-degree child molestation, one count of third-degree child rape, one count of indecent liberties, one count of voyeurism and one count of attempted first-degree child rape.
Brian Drake’s first court appearance was Wednesday, Sept. 20, and his arraignment is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 29.
This story was updated at 6:32 p.m. Sept. 26, 2023, to include information on the extradition of Aaron Drake.
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13. Prosecutors to seek extradition of Montana man accused of child sex crimes in Whatcom
Whatcom County prosecutors intend to seek the extradition of a Montana man accused of multiple felonies related to child rape, child molestation and incest in the Bellingham area.
Aaron Drake, 33, was arrested on Sunday, Sept. 24 in Yellowstone County, Montana, and faces 15 charges that mirror those filed against his brother, Brian Drake, who was arrested in Bellingham last week on suspicion of two dozen sex crimes.
County Prosecuting Attorney Gordon Jenkins told Cascadia Daily News he has no estimate on the timeline of the extradition, and that it’s too early to say whether it will have an effect on Brian Drake’s court proceedings.
Together, the brothers face nearly 40 felony charges over incidents that occurred between 2002 and 2009.
The pair were living in the Marietta-Alderwood area, west of Bellingham, when they allegedly abused two children known to them over a multi-year span. The abuse began when Brian Drake was 10 and Aaron Drake was 12, and involved two victims known to them then aged 4 and 11, according to charging documents.
Brian Drake reportedly admitted to the assaults during an interview with local authorities, and is currently incarcerated in the Whatcom County Jail in lieu of $350,000 bail. If he is able to post bail, he will not be allowed to have contact with anyone under the age of 18 or with either of the alleged victims.
The victims, now in their 20s, described years of abuse at the hands of the Drake brothers, and court records indicate they were afraid to fully disclose details of the abuse.
The Drake brothers’ parents sought support from a bishop at their church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, around 2009 or 2010, according to court documents. The parents did not know the extent of the abuse, court documents state, and “were under the impression that Aaron and Brian were only inappropriate with [the victims] a couple of times.”
When contacted by Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, Brian Drake’s ex-wife said she had been waiting “for several years” for a call from law enforcement over the crimes, which she said she learned about in February 2018, just six months after the birth of their daughter.
Charges against Brian Drake include six counts of first-degree child molestation, three counts of first-degree child rape, three counts of first-degree incest, three counts of indecent liberties, one count of second-degree rape by forcible compulsion, one count of second-degree assault, one count of third-degree rape, one count of attempted first-degree child rape, one count of attempted third-degree rape, one count of voyeurism and one count of intimidation of a witness.
Charges against Aaron Drake include four counts of first-degree child molestation, two counts of first-degree child rape, two counts of first-degree incest, two counts of second-degree child rape, one count of second-degree child molestation, one count of third-degree child rape, one count of indecent liberties, one count of voyeurism and one count of attempted first-degree child rape.
Brian Drake’s first court appearance was Wednesday, Sept. 20, and his arraignment is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 29.
This story was updated at 6:32 p.m. Sept. 26, 2023, to include information on the extradition of Aaron Drake.
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14. Charges amended in case against Whatcom brothers accused of years-long child sex abuse
While awaiting a governor's warrant to bring one of the men from Montana back to Washington state, Whatcom County prosecutors have amended the charges against two brothers accused of sexually abusing and torturing two female children over a seven-year span roughly two decades ago.
Prosecutors originally charged Brian Matthew Drake and Aaron Joseph Drake in late September with 37 crimes between the two of them. All but one of the crimes were felonies and all but two were sex crimes, according to Whatcom County Superior Court records.
On Sept. 28, Whatcom prosecutors filed amended charges against the Drake brothers, dropping 12 of their original charges, court records show.
Brian Matthew Drake, 31, of Bellingham, is now facing six counts of first-degree child molestation, three counts of first-degree child rape, two counts of first-degree incest, one count of second-degree rape and one count of attempted first-degree child rape. All of the charges, which are felonies, include an aggravating factor that alleges that the crimes were part of an ongoing pattern of sexual abuse of the same victim under the age of 18 manifested by multiple incidents over a prolonged period of time.
Aaron Joseph Drake, 33, of Billings, Montana, is now facing four counts of first-degree child molestation, two counts of first-degree child rape, two counts of second-degree child rape, one count of first-degree incest, one count of third-degree child rape, one count of second-degree child molestation and one count of attempted first-degree child rape. All of his charges, which are felonies, also include the aggravating factor alleging an ongoing pattern of sexual abuse over a prolonged period of time, the court records state.
The sexual abuse, which occurred from 2002 and 2009 in the Marietta-Alderwood area of Whatcom County, began when the two female children were between the ages of 4 and 11. The girls, who were known to the Drakes, are now in their mid- to late-20s.
Nine of Brian Drake's original charges were dropped, including the charges alleging the sexual abuse of one of the women, who is now in her late 20s. She had previously told detectives that she was abused by Brian Drake as a child when she was between the ages of 11 and 16, The Bellingham Herald previously reported.
Aaron Drake, who had three of his original charges dropped, is still charged with the sexual abuse of the woman who is now in her late 20s, court documents show.
Whatcom County Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Gordon Jenkins said Friday, Oct. 13, that there were a variety of reasons the charges against the Drake brothers were amended, but said most of the changes are related to statute of limitations issues.
The statute of limitations is also what led to many of the charges involving the abuse of the second child filed against Brian Drake to be dropped, Jenkins said. He declined to comment further on the cases against the Drake brothers.
Brian Drake pleaded not guilty to the amended charges in court Sept. 29. His jury trial is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 20.
He is currently incarcerated in the Whatcom County Jail in lieu of $350,000 bail with no cash alternative.
If Brian Drake posts bond and is released from custody, he will not be allowed to have contact with anyone under the age of 18.
A sexual assault protection order was also put in place between Brian Drake and the two victims.
The Herald has reached out to Brian Drake's defense attorney for comment.Governor's warrant
Aaron Drake, who has yet to make his first court appearance in Washington, is currently incarcerated in a detention center in Montana.
A nationwide extraditable warrant for Aaron Drake's arrest was issued Sept. 21 out of Whatcom County. He was arrested three days later, on Sept. 24, and booked into the Yellowstone County Detention Facility in Billings, Montana, where he currently remains.
Aaron Drake made his first appearance in Yellowstone County Justice Court on Sept. 25. He refused to waive extradition at the hearing, meaning he did not consent to be voluntarily transferred from Montana to Washington, The Herald previously reported.
The state of Washington has until Oct. 25 to request a governor's warrant to extradite Aaron Drake, but can request a 60-day extension.
In between now and Oct. 25, Aaron Drake could decide to waive extradition; to challenge identification, arguing that he is not the person Washington state is seeking, or Washington state could drop the extradition warrant, Chief Deputy Yellowstone County Attorney Christopher Morris told The Herald.
Jenkins said Friday that the Whatcom County prosecutor's office is currently preparing a packet requesting a governor's warrant for Aaron Drake, and expects to send it to Gov. Jay Inslee for approval next week. He said they would request an extension of time if necessary.
Aaron Drake's next court appearance on the warrant matter is Oct. 25 in Yellowstone County, Morris, the Montana prosecutor, said.Additional case
In addition to the Washington state case, Aaron Drake is also facing a child sex crime case in Montana.
At the time the Whatcom County charges were filed against Aaron Drake, he was awaiting trial in a Yellowstone County District Court case in Montana.
Yellowstone County prosecutors charged Aaron Drake with one count of sexual intercourse without consent in late July 2022. Prosecutors also included the alternative crimes of one count of sexual assault that inflicts bodily injury or the victim is less than 16 years old, and two counts of assault with a weapon, according to Montana court documents.
Yellowstone County prosecutors allege that Aaron Drake molested a female child when she was around 7 or 8 years old. The female child, who is known to Aaron Drake, disclosed the sexual abuse during an interview with police regarding a separate incident, according to court records.
The female child, and several additional children, were interviewed by law enforcement in Montana after Aaron Drake's ex-wife reported an incident in late April 2022 in which Aaron Drake allegedly pointed a gun at several children who were in his home at the time.
Prosecutors allege that an argument occurred during a meal in late April 2022, which resulted in Aaron Drake locking one of the children out of the home. The child told law enforcement that Aaron Drake then came outside and hit them with a belt, the court documents state.
Several of the other children in the home told law enforcement that Aaron Drake had initially grabbed a gun to take outside, but grabbed a belt instead.
When Aaron Drake came back inside, he then used the belt to threaten suicide, court records state.
The children also told law enforcement about another incident, which occurred sometime between March and April 2022, in which Aaron Drake allegedly pointed a separate firearm at two of the children while they were fighting.
In interviews with detectives, Aaron Drake denied molesting the girl, but did not dispute much of the circumstances surrounding the other incidents, the Montana court documents show.
Aaron Drake allegedly told detectives of "a long history with thoughts of self-harm, anger issues and impulsive behavior," and said "'fight or flight' was to blame for his grabbing the gun," the records state.
Aaron Drake denied hitting the child with a belt, and told detectives he had hit the porch railing instead. He also denied pointing a gun at any of the children, according to the records.
Aaron Drake has pleaded not guilty to the charges in the Montana court case, according to reporting from The Billings Gazette.
He was released on a $50,000 bond related to the Montana case in late July 2022, according to the Gazette and Yellowstone County prosecutors. He remained out of custody until his arrest in late September.
Aaron Drake's next court appearance in the Montana case is scheduled for Nov. 14 in Yellowstone County District Court. His jury trial has tentatively been set for Nov. 27.
It's possible that Aaron Drake may have to resolve his charges in Montana before being extradited to Washington state to face the sex crime charges against him here.
It's unclear whether or when Aaron Drake may appear in a Washington state court.Resources
▪ Brigid Collins Family Support Center: 360-734-4616, brigidcollins.org
Brigid Collins Family Support Center professionals are on-call between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, to answer questions about children, families, abuse prevention or treatment at (360) 734-4616.
▪ Child Protective Services: Washington state hotline for reporting child abuse and neglect, 866-829-2153.
▪ Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services: 24-hour Help Line: 360-715-1563, Email: info@dvsas.org.
▪ Lummi Victims of Crime: 360-312-2015.
▪ Tl'ils Ta'á'altha Victims of Crime: 360-325-3310 or nooksacktribe.org/departments/youth-family-services/tlils-taaaltha-victims-of-crime-program/
▪ Bellingham Police: You can call anonymously at 360-778-8611, or go online at cob.org/tips.
▪ WWU Consultation and Sexual Assault Support Survivor Advocacy Services: 360-650-3700 or wp.wwu.edu/sexualviolence/.
If you or a child is in immediate danger, call 911 and make a report to law enforcement.
To report child abuse or neglect call 1-866-END HARM.
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15. Second brother accused of sexually abusing, torturing 2 female children in Whatcom arrested
This story has been updated
The second man accused of sexually abusing and torturing two female children with his brother over a seven-year span roughly two decades ago in Whatcom County has been arrested in southern Montana.
Aaron Joseph Drake, 33, was arrested Sunday, Sept. 24, and booked into the Yellowstone County Detention Facility in Billings, Montana, where he currently remains.
A nationwide extraditable warrant for Aaron Drake's arrest was issued Thursday, Sept. 21, out of Whatcom County, The Bellingham Herald previously reported.
Whatcom County prosecutors charged Aaron Joseph Drake and Brian Matthew Drake, who are brothers, with 37 crimes between the two of them last week — all but one of which are felonies and all but two of which are sex crimes, according to Whatcom County Superior Court records.
Brian Matthew Drake, 31, of Bellingham, was charged Sept. 21 with six counts of first-degree child molestation, three counts of first-degree child rape, three counts of first-degree incest, three counts of indecent liberties, one count of second-degree rape by forcible compulsion, one count of second-degree assault, one count of third-degree rape, one count of attempted first-degree child rape, one count of attempted third-degree rape, one count of voyeurism, and one count of intimidating a witness.
Aaron Joseph Drake, 33, of Billings, Montana, was also charged Sept. 21 with four counts of first-degree child molestation, two counts of first-degree child rape, two counts of first-degree incest, two counts of second-degree child rape, one count of second-degree child molestation, one count of third-degree child rape, one count of indecent liberties, one count of voyeurism, and one count of attempted first-degree child rape.
Brian Drake was arrested at his Bellingham residence on Sept. 19. He currently is in the Whatcom County Jail in lieu of $350,000 bail with no cash alternative, which was set at his first appearance in court on Sept. 20.
A sexual assault protection order was put in place between Brian Drake and the two victims, who are now adults. If Brian Drake posts bond and is released from custody, he will not be allowed to have contact with anyone under the age of 18.
His arraignment was scheduled for Sept. 29.
Aaron Drake was arrested Sunday, Sept. 24, in Billings, Montana, three days after a nationwide extraditable warrant was issued for his arrest. Yellowstone County Detention Facility officials confirmed Thursday, Sept. 28, that Aaron Drake was arrested Sunday on the Washington state warrant.
He made his first appearance in Yellowstone County Justice Court on Monday, Sept. 25. He refused to waive extradition at the hearing, meaning he did not consent to be voluntarily transferred from Montana to Washington.
The state of Washington has until Oct. 25 to request a governor's warrant of extradition for Aaron Drake, but can request a 60-day extension, according to Chief Deputy Yellowstone County Attorney Christopher Morris.
In between that time, Aaron Drake could decide to waive extradition; to challenge identification, arguing that he is not the person Washington state is seeking, or Washington state could drop the extradition warrant, Morris told The Herald by email.
The Whatcom County prosecutor's office said it is seeking a governor's warrant to extradite Aaron Drake, according to Whatcom County Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Gordon Jenkins.
"It's something that's a relatively high priority for us," Jenkins said Thursday, Sept. 28.
Aaron Drake is currently incarcerated in the Yellowstone County Detention Facility in lieu of $500,000 bond, which was set at his first court appearance in Montana last week.
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16. One of two Whatcom County brothers pleads guilty to child sex abuse that lasted years
Brian Matthew Drake, accused of sexually abusing and torturing two female children over a seven-year span roughly two decades ago, has pleaded guilty to felony charges including child rape and molestation.
The Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is expected to recommend Brian Drake serve five years in prison, with three years probation, and register as a sex offender at his sentencing hearing.
Brian Drake's brother, Aaron Joseph Drake, is still facing multiple child molestation and rape charges in both Washington state and Montana, with a change of plea hearing scheduled in the Montana case.See a mistake?
One of two brothers accused of sexually abusing and torturing two female children over a seven-year span roughly two decades ago has pleaded guilty.
Brian Matthew Drake, 32, of Bellingham, pleaded guilty Thursday, Aug. 22, in Whatcom County Superior Court to felony charges including one count each of first-degree child rape and second-degree child molestation.
The Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney's Office is expected to recommend Brian Drake serve five years in prison, with three years probation at his sentencing hearing. He is also expected to be required to register as a sex offender, according to court records.
Brian Drake's sentencing is expected to be set sometime within the next three months.
A pre-sentence investigation report conducted by the Washington State Department of Corrections is required by law to be completed prior to Brian Drake's sentencing hearing. The investigation, which will cover Brian Drake's version of the events, victim impacts, and Brian Drake's personal, professional, medical and social history, will also include a conclusion and recommendation as to whether or not specialized community-based or institutional treatment would serve the best interests of the community and Brian Drake. The report is due within 60 days.
Brian Drake was taken into custody following his guilty plea on Thursday and will remain incarcerated without bail until his sentencing hearing.
Drake had previously been incarcerated in the downtown Whatcom County Jail since his arrest Sept. 19, 2023, in lieu of $350,000 bail with no cash alternative.
Prosecutors originally charged Brian Drake, and his brother Aaron Joseph Drake, in mid-September 2023 with 37 crimes between the two of them. All but one of the crimes were felonies and all but two were sex crimes, according to court records.
Prosecutors then amended the brothers' charges in late September 2023, dropping 12 of the original charges due to statute of limitations concerns, The Bellingham Herald previously reported.
Brian Drake was then facing six counts of first-degree child molestation, three counts of first-degree child rape, two counts of first-degree incest, one count of second-degree rape and one count of attempted first-degree child rape. All of the charges, which are felonies, included an aggravating factor that alleged the crimes were part of an ongoing pattern of sexual abuse of the same victim under the age of 18 manifested by multiple incidents over a prolonged period of time.
His charges were significantly reduced in exchange for his guilty pleas Thursday, as part of a joint recommendation between the prosecuting and defense attorneys, court records show.
Aaron Joseph Drake, 33, of Billings, Mont., is still facing four counts of first-degree child molestation, two counts of first-degree child rape, two counts of second-degree child rape, one count of third-degree child rape, one count of second-degree child molestation and one count of attempted first-degree child rape. All of his charges, which are felonies, also include the aggravating factor alleging an ongoing pattern of sexual abuse over a prolonged period of time, the court records state.
Aaron Drake has yet to make his first court appearance in Washington because he is currently incarcerated in a detention center in Montana. A nationwide extraditable warrant went out for his arrest Sept. 21, 2023 out of Whatcom County. Aaron Drake was arrested three days later, on Sept. 24, 2023, and booked into the Yellowstone County Detention Facility in Billings, Mont., where he currently remains.
In addition to the Washington state case, Aaron Drake is also facing a child sex crime case in Montana. At the time the Whatcom County charges were filed against Aaron Drake, he was awaiting trial in a Yellowstone County District Court case in Montana.
Yellowstone County prosecutors charged Aaron Drake with one count of sexual intercourse without consent in late July 2022. Prosecutors also included the alternative crimes of one count of sexual assault that inflicts bodily injury or the victim is less than 16 years old, and two counts of assault with a weapon, according to Montana court documents.
Prosecutors allege that Aaron Drake molested a female child when she was around 7 or 8 years old. The child, who is known to Aaron Drake, disclosed the sexual abuse during an interview with police regarding a separate incident, The Herald previously reported.
The Herald's policy is to avoid identifying victims of sex crimes when possible.
Aaron Drake has a change of plea hearing scheduled for Aug. 28 in the Montana case, according to Montana court records.
It's possible that Aaron Drake may have to resolve his charges in Montana before being extradited to Washington state to face the sex crime charges against him here. It's unclear whether or when Aaron Drake may appear in a Washington state court.
Whatcom County senior deputy prosecuting attorney Gordon Jenkins declined at this time to comment on Brian Drake's guilty pleas.
The Herald has reached out to Brian Drake's defense attorney.
Admission of abuseThe sexual abuse, which occurred from 2002 and 2009 in the Marietta-Alderwood area of Whatcom County, began when the two female children were between the ages of 4 and 11. The girls, who were known to the Drakes, are now in their mid- to late-20s.
Brian Drake was 10 years old, while Aaron Drake was 12 years old, at the time they first began abusing the two girls, court records show.
The Whatcom County Sheriff's Office started an investigation into the sexual abuse after one of the women, then in her mid-20s, went with her mother in late February 2023 to disclose the sex abuse.
The woman described violent, graphic sexual abuse to sheriff's deputies, which she said started around age 4. She told investigators she was regularly restrained and raped by the Drake brothers at various locations in the Drakes' Whatcom County home and in a tree fort all of the children had access to, The Herald previously reported.
The woman told law enforcement Brian Drake threatened her by telling her that if she told anyone, "things were going to get worse." Brian Drake also told the girl he would kill her if she said anything, court documents state.
Following his arrest in mid-September 2023, Brian Drake admitted to sexually assaulting both women multiple times with and without his brother, Aaron Drake, during a two-hour interview with detectives, court documents state.
Resources▪ Brigid Collins Family Support Center: 360-734-4616, brigidcollins.org
Brigid Collins Family Support Center professionals are on-call between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, to answer questions about children, families, abuse prevention or treatment at (360) 734-4616.
▪ Child Protective Services: Washington state hotline for reporting child abuse and neglect, 866-829-2153.
▪ Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services: 24-hour Help Line: 360-715-1563, Email: info@dvsas.org.
▪ Lummi Victims of Crime: 360-312-2015.
▪ Tl'ils Ta'á'altha Victims of Crime: 360-325-3310 or nooksacktribe.org/departments/youth-family-services/tlils-taaaltha-victims-of-crime-program/
▪ Bellingham Police: You can call anonymously at 360-778-8611, or go online at cob.org/tips.
▪ WWU Consultation and Sexual Assault Support Survivor Advocacy Services: 360-650-3700 or wp.wwu.edu/sexualviolence/.
If you or a child is in immediate danger, call 911 and make a report to law enforcement.
To report child abuse or neglect call 1-866-END HARM.
▪ NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Whatcom: https://www.namiwhatcom.org/crisis-resources.html
▪ Washington State Crisis Line/National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 or text HOME to 741741 for a crisis counselor
▪ Whatcom County Triage Center Crisis Line: 800-584-3578
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