Amber Swain, a 35-year-old teacher and program director at Pend Oreille River School in Newport, Washington, was arrested on June 2, 2026, following allegations of sexual misconduct with two teenage boys. According to court documents and local law enforcement, Swain faces charges of first and second-degree incest and first-degree sexual misconduct with a minor. The school district placed her on administrative leave immediately following her arrest.
How the investigation into the teacher unfolded
The investigation began after the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) flagged potential abuse on May 18, 2026. Detectives reviewed digital evidence, including text messages allegedly exchanged between Swain and the minors, according to court filings cited by local media. Forensic interviews conducted with both teenagers provided the basis for the subsequent arrest. While Swain initially denied any physical relationship with the students during police questioning, she reportedly altered her account after being confronted with the digital evidence, claiming that any relationship with one of the teenagers occurred only after he reached the age of 18.
In Washington state, the legal age of consent is 16, but specific statutes regarding positions of authority and educational environments can significantly alter the legal implications of sexual relationships between staff and students, regardless of the age of the student.
Discrepancies in victim testimony and legal proceedings
Police reports indicate that the two victims provided conflicting accounts of the alleged incidents. One teenager told investigators that sexual contact occurred “numerous times” starting before he was 18 and continuing until two days before his interview. The second teenager reported that Swain touched him inappropriately while they were in bed in May 2026, but stated he forced her to stop. During a court appearance on June 3, 2026, Judge Robin McCroskey set Swain’s bail at $20,000, despite a request from Pend Oreille County Prosecutor Dolly Hunt for $500,000. The prosecution argued that high bail was necessary because Swain allegedly attempted to contact one of the victims while in custody.
What are the potential legal consequences?
Swain faces severe legal jeopardy, with potential prison sentences of up to 20 years if convicted on the charges of first and second-degree incest and sexual misconduct. Her defense attorney, Brett Billingsley, emphasized in court that Swain had no prior criminal record. As a condition of her release on bail, Swain is prohibited from contacting the victims or being in the presence of individuals under the age of 18. The case is expected to move to a higher court for formal arraignment in the coming weeks.
FAQ
- What charges does Amber Swain face? She is charged with first and second-degree incest and first-degree sexual misconduct with a minor.
- Where was the defendant employed? Swain worked at the Pend Oreille River School, an alternative secondary school in Newport, Washington.
- What is the status of her employment? The school district officially placed her on administrative leave and suspended her duties following her arrest.
- What evidence led to the arrest? Police cited digital text messages and forensic interviews with two teenage boys as the primary evidence.
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