A teacher at Federal Way’s Todd Beamer High School has been arrested on suspicion of having sex with a student.
Eli Thomas Godbolt, 33, was booked into the King County Regional Justice Center in Kent on Monday on suspicion of second-degree rape, court records show. Godbolt was released on his own recognizance after his first appearance in court Tuesday. He’s yet to be charged.
Federal Way police arrested Godbolt at his home after a 17-year-old girl told her mother Sunday she’d had sex with the teacher four times over a two-year period, court records show.
“Two of the rapes happened in Federal Way, and one each in Auburn and Tacoma,” the records state. “There is physical evidence that was recovered at the victim’s home.”
It is against the law in Washington for a teacher to have sex with a student, even if the student is of age and gives consent.
“The King County Prosecutor’s Office and Federal Way police are continuing the investigation with the anticipation of official charges forthcoming,” Federal Way police said Friday.
Godbolt refused to answer questions when arrested and asked for a lawyer, court records show. Efforts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful.
Federal Way Public Schools spokeswoman Diane Turner said Godbolt was placed on administrative leave Monday after district officials learned of his arrest. He has taught at Todd Beamer since 2007, mostly English and math, she said.
The district is cooperating with police, Turner added.
Adam Lynn: 253-597-8644
adam.lynn@thenewstribune.com
@TNTadam
blog.thenewstribune.com/crime
