COULEE DAM — Ross Ashenfelter, a 42-year-old fourth-grade teacher at Lake Roosevelt Elementary School, was arrested Monday during a sting operation targeting online predators.  

Kittitas County deputies took Ashenfelter into custody on probable cause for the crime of communication with a minor for immoral purposes while he was engaged in administrative work during a school holiday, according to a statement from the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office.  

The arrest was part of a collaborative effort involving the Washington Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The investigation, led by KCSO detectives, aimed to identify and apprehend individuals who engage in inappropriate communications with minors online. The interactions that led to Ashenfelter's arrest were a façade, orchestrated by an undercover detective posing as a minor. 

“We have detectives who work with the ICAC,” explained Kittitas County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Chris Whitsett. “As you can imagine, Internet Crimes have long arms. The interaction that Mr. Ashenfelter believed was with a minor was, in fact, with a Kittitas County detective.” 

According to GovSalaries.com, Ashenfelter has been a homeroom teacher in the Grand Coulee Dam School District since 2024 with an annual wage of nearly $76,000. Previously, he worked as a teacher at Medford School District in Oregon.  

Sheriff Clay Myers affirmed the commitment of law enforcement to protect children.  

"Protecting children has long been a top priority for law enforcement in our community, and we will continue to use our abilities and resources to pursue anyone who would harm kids, wherever and whoever they are," he said in a statement. 

After his arrest, Ashenfelter was transported to Ellensburg for booking at the Kittitas County Jail. As of 4 p.m. Monday, Ashenfelter was not listed on the Kittitas County Jail roster.  

“This crime could be charged either in the place where the person makes the communication. Presumably, he was in Grand Coulee, or where the communication is received, which is here in Kittitas County. We determined we should make the arrest and bring the charges here,” Whitsett said.  

The school district has been notified, and communication is ongoing between the Sheriff’s Office and the Grand Coulee Dam School District regarding the situation, though further details about the impact on the school community have not yet been disclosed, according to a statement from KCSO. 

Investigators from the ICAC are equipped with specialized training and resources, collaborating across jurisdictions to combat online threats to children.  

“It’s a great example of law enforcement cooperation across jurisdiction lines, across cities and counties all over our state,” Whitsett said. “We’ve had ICAC clients that have reached out across international boundaries, too.” 

Authorities are urging individuals with any information related to the investigation to come forward. Those with relevant information are encouraged to contact Kittcom at 509-925-8534, referencing case number S25-14609. 

When asked about potential concerns regarding online predators, Whitsett emphasized the importance of vigilance from the community.  

"The internet is an amazing resource, and it’s also a hazardous place where things can have a lot of potential for abuse," Whitsett said. “If you have concerns that a child may be potentially victimized online or if someone is engaging in suspicious activities with children, we urge you to contact your local law enforcement.”