The Blaine Police Department (BPD) arrested Darrell James Cochran, 48, after he was suspected of breaking into the house of a former employee and raping her on July 23.
Cochran was arrested on July 27 on charges of first-degree rape, first-degree burglary, unlawful imprisonment and fourth-degree assault. He was released two days later from Whatcom County Jail on a $50,000 appearance bond.
According to the affidavit of probable cause filed in Whatcom County Superior Court, the woman told BPD she woke up around 6 p.m. on July 23 to discover Cochran on top of her.
Cochran held her down and forcibly raped her as she repeatedly told him no, and at one point, screamed for help. The victim attempted to get to her phone to call for help, but Cochran knocked the phone out of her hands during the assault, according to court documents.
The woman reported internal injuries and visible bruising on her arms and side to investigating officers, BPD Lieutenant Michael Munden wrote in an email to The Northern Light. The woman underwent a sexual assault nurse examination and her friend corroborated the report, according to court documents.Cochran was taken into police custody without incident July 27.
The woman told BPD she had last worked as an employee of Cochran’s several years ago, and that Cochran had been at the woman’s house earlier on the day of July 23, where he was asked to leave, court documents stated.
BPD is still investigating the case.
If you or someone you know is affected by domestic or sexual violence, the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services (DVSAS) 24-hour hotline is available at 360/715-1563 or 877/715-1563.
Brigid Collins Family Support Center, a Bellingham-based nonprofit working to end child abuse, can be reached at 360/734-4616 and brigidcollins.org.
Lummi Victims of Crime has a 24-hour helpline at 360/312-2015.
The National Domestic Violence Helpline operates a chat line at thehotline.org/help.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here