Jefferey S. Archer, the volunteer fire chief in Ilwaco, Washington, was arrested on Jan. 9 and faces 37 charges related to alleged child sexual abuse, including counts of first‑degree rape and multiple counts of child molestation. Court records and local reporting say two males reported abuse, with allegations that some conduct began as early as 2013 and included a five‑month pattern in 2019. Archer pleaded not guilty at a Jan. 16 arraignment, remains held on $500,000 bail and has been placed on administrative leave while prosecutors consider additional charges.
Ilwaco Volunteer Fire Chief Arrested on 37 Child Sex‑Abuse Charges; Pleads Not Guilty
Google MapsIlwaco Fire Department in Ilwaco, Washington.
Jefferey S. Archer, the volunteer fire chief in Ilwaco, Washington, has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of child sexual abuse, according to local news reports and court documents.
Charges and Allegations
Court filings cited by local outlets list a total of 37 charges against Archer, including 10 counts of first‑degree rape of a child, 21 counts of first‑degree child molestation, four counts of second‑degree child molestation, one count of dealing depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct and one count of possession of such depictions.
Investigation and Arrest
The Pacific County Sheriff’s Office began investigating after receiving reports from two boys alleging sexual abuse. One unnamed boy told investigators he was allegedly abused every weekend for a five‑month period in 2019 and said Archer provided marijuana and alcohol in exchange for the abuse, according to court records reported by The Seattle Times. The records also allege abuse of another male who was 18 at the time, and a statement of probable cause cited by KING 5 suggests the alleged misconduct may date back to 2013.
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Deputies executed a search warrant at a residence on Jan. 9; Archer was arrested that day and booked into the Pacific County Jail. He appeared for arraignment on Jan. 16 and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Employment Status and Next Steps
The Ilwaco Fire Department has placed Archer on administrative leave. City Administrator Holly Beller told The Seattle Times that Archer had served as a part‑time fire chief beginning in 2021 and was hired full time in November 2023. Archer remains held in the Pacific County Jail on $500,000 bail. The Pacific County Prosecutor’s Office has indicated it may file additional charges, possibly involving additional alleged victims.
Responses
PEOPLE and other outlets reported they contacted the Pacific County Prosecutor’s Office, the Pacific County Sheriff’s Office and the Ilwaco Volunteer Fire Department for comment but did not immediately receive responses. All allegations are pending in court, and Archer is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Sources: Local reporting from The Seattle Times, Chinook Observer, KING 5 and PEOPLE, and court documents cited therein.
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