Newport teacher arrested for alleged sexual contact with teens

NEWPORT — A Newport teacher has been arrested and charged with first- and second-degree incest after a Washington state agency reported the possible sexual abuse of two teenage males.

Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office officials reported that the Department of Children, Youth, and Families contacted detectives May 18 alleging that Amber N. Swain, 35, of Newport, recently had sexual contact with two teenage males. According to the Newport School District website, Swain serves as a director/teacher at Pend Oreille River School, the district’s alternative high school.

Forensic interviews were conducted with the alleged victims, and on Tuesday, June 2, detectives were able to interview Swain.

Based on the investigation, deputies determined there was probable cause to believe the incidents occurred, Pend Oreille County Sheriff Glenn Blakeslee said.

Swain was taken into custody and confined in the Pend Oreille County Jail on charges of first-degree incest and second-degree incest.

Because Swain is a local teacher, her employer was contacted. School and district officials are cooperating with the investigation, Blakeslee said.

POCSO officials the case is part of an ongoing investigation, and no further details will be released at this time.