TACOMA, Washington — An Auburn police officer arrested last week following an undercover investigation by the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Unit has been released from jail while prosecutors review the case and detectives gather additional evidence.
Matthew McNabb, a commissioned officer with the Auburn Police Department, was arrested on Friday, May 15, at approximately 6:30 a.m. at the Auburn Police Department station. McNabb was taken into custody on suspicion of felony immoral communication with a minor and booked into the Pierce County Jail. He was subsequently released after posting a $100,000 bail. Formal charges have not yet been filed.
According to Adam Faber, spokesperson for the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, a case referral was received from the Sheriff’s Office, but a definitive charging decision remains pending. Faber noted that the office’s Special Assault Unit requested that the handling detective conduct a follow-up investigation, meaning the case is currently under active review.
Under Washington state law, communication with a minor for immoral purposes applies to interactions where the suspect believes the individual is a minor. The offense can be elevated to a class C felony if the communication is electronic or if certain prior convictions exist. The allegations against McNabb have not been tested in court, and he has not been convicted of a crime.
The investigation involved online messages sent to deputies operating within the Pierce County Internet Crimes Against Children task force. Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Carly Cappetto reported that the communications were sent through fictitious online profiles managed by the Sheriff’s Office. According to Cappetto, the electronic messages were sent on a Wednesday, and deputies arrested McNabb on Friday morning when he arrived at work. The specific content of the communications has not been released.
Auburn Police Chief Mark Caillier was notified of the probe beforehand and coordinated with the Sheriff’s Office to facilitate the arrest at the police precinct. Following the arrest, Caillier released a statement calling the allegations deeply troubling and contrary to the values, professionalism, and integrity of the department. The Auburn Police Department placed McNabb on administrative leave pending the filing of formal charges.
Addressing concerns regarding public safety after McNabb’s release on bail, Cappetto stated that the Sheriff’s Office cannot control an individual’s behavior once bail is secured. While electronic devices were seized using search warrants, Cappetto noted that community safeguards or tracking mechanisms would have to be mandated by the court system. She emphasized that the investigation remains an active priority for the agency.
Questions were raised regarding why McNabb was released prior to the filing of formal charges. Faber clarified that the standard 72-hour custody rule only dictates how long a person can be held in jail without charges, meaning McNabb’s release on bail removes that specific deadline pressure for prosecutors. Faber added that the general statute of limitations is two years for a gross misdemeanor and five years for a class C felony. McNabb’s initial weekend court appearance was a probable-cause and bail hearing rather than an arraignment, meaning any preliminary conditions imposed have expired. If formal charges are filed, conditions such as restrictions on internet use or contact with minors would be argued during a public arraignment.
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