Mother Arrested for Child Rape, Molestation and Sexual Exploitation of a Minor
Spokane Valley Sexual Assault Unit Detectives arrested Jessica A. Cunnington this afternoon, charging her with Rape of a Child 1st Degree, Child Molestation 1st Degree and Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. Spokane Valley/Spokane County Detectives have been investigating this case as part of a more extensive investigation involving an FBI Task Force.
On December 2, 2018, Spokane Valley Deputies contacted a person who was reporting a long-time friend, later identified as 27-year-old Jessica A. Cunnington, she was “in trouble” and would be going to jail for a “sexually related” crime. Cunnington continued saying she had a Tumblr account where she became involved with ‘inappropriate interactions”, including sending sexual photos of her three-year-old daughter. Cunnington asked this person to take a laptop computer, an external hard drive and some homemade CDs containing family photos because she was afraid the FBI would seize them. She took the property as Cunnington requested and reported the information to Spokane Valley Deputies.
On December 4, 2018, Sexual Assault Unit Detective Kevin Richey began an investigation which included working with an FBI Task Force. The investigation revealed Cunnington was separated from her husband and had been living in an apartment located in the 900 block of S. Pines with their three children.
Search warrants for internet accounts and electronics devices were obtained where several sexually explicit pictures/video images were located, along with documentation, and graphic/detailed sexually explicit conversations which had been sent to another person via the social media apps, Kik and Tumblr.
Detective Richey obtained an Authorization for Emergency Placement for the three minor children, and they were released into the custody of Child Protective Services.
Today, Cunnington was arrested and charged with Rape of a Child 1st Degree, Child Molestation 1st Degree and Sexual Exploitation of a Minor in connection to the local investigation. She was booked into the Spokane County Jail for these charges.
The FBI Task Force investigation continues where Cunnington may face additional federal charges at the conclusion.
Today’s arrest is an outstanding example of concerned citizens reporting criminal activity and the excellent working relationship between the FBI Task Force and Spokane Valley/Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Sexual Assault Unit Detectives as they work in partnership to ensure the safety of our children.
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Deputy Mark Gregory
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office
Spokane Valley Police Department
Public Information Officer