Oak Harbor Man Charged With Child Rape, Court Finds Probable Cause
An Oak Harbor man was charged with repeatedly raping a 13 year old and with possessing pornographic images of the child, according to Island County court documents. The case underscores concerns about digital communications, child safety, and local law enforcement procedures that matter to residents and policymakers.
A 38 year old Oak Harbor man, identified in court records as Denon Lammatao, appeared in Island County Superior Court on November 12 and was found to have probable cause for multiple felony charges stemming from alleged abuse of a minor. Judge Christon Skinner found probable cause for two counts of rape of a child in the second degree, possession of depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and felony communication with a minor for immoral purposes.
Court documents and police reports state the alleged abuse of the girl began in October 2023 and continued about once a week until May 2024. Investigators obtained a warrant for Snapchat communications and say they recovered images and messages that were part of their evidence. Law enforcement arrested Lammatao after conducting surveillance and stopping his vehicle on November 10. Bail was set at a fifty thousand dollar bond or five thousand dollars in cash, and records show Lammatao posted the five thousand dollars cash bail on November 12.
The case raises immediate questions for Island County residents about how digital platforms are used in crimes against minors and how local institutions respond to such allegations. The use of a warrant to access Snapchat material illustrates the growing role of social media for investigators, and it highlights the challenges prosecutors and police face in securing digital evidence in a timely way. The court finding of probable cause moves the case into the formal charging and pretrial phase, where prosecutors must prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.
For families and community leaders on Whidbey Island and Camano Island, the allegations will likely intensify calls for attention to child safety education, prevention programs, and resources for victims. Local agencies and elected officials may face pressure to review how schools, law enforcement, and social services coordinate when reports involve online communication and potential exploitation. The bail decision and the fact that cash bail was posted also prompt discussion about access to the justice system and how pretrial release decisions affect community safety and victim confidence.
Island County residents can expect further court proceedings and potential prosecution as investigators and the county attorney prepare the case. The reporting on this matter was originally published by the Whidbey News Times and compiled from court documents and police reports by reporter Jessie Stensland.
