MUKILTEO, Wash. — A North Sound school official is accused of sexually assaulting a former student and is now on leave. According to investigators, the suspect has been working in education for more than two decades, and the allegations date back to 2013.
The victim claims, when he was 14 years old, Russell Robinson, the then-wrestling coach at Squalicum High School, sexually assaulted him.
Robinson’s most recent job was as the athletics and safety director at Mukilteo Public Schools.
“That’s what’s wonderful about my job,” Robinson said in a video published by Bellingham Public Schools (BPS) in 2024. “I don’t know what I’m doing day to day, I mostly am reacting to schools and what they need.”
Robinson was interviewed for a video by BPS after being given the “One Schoolhouse” award for his work as a coach and the district’s safety and security supervisor.
In a statement, Bellingham Public Schools confirmed Robinson worked there from 2000-2026, before leaving for another job in June.
The district said it was made aware of sexual assault allegations by a former student in October 2026 and reported the situation to law enforcement.
“I’m working with students to try and find ways to make people feel safe and are safe in our buildings,” Robinson said in the 2024 interview.
Court records obtained by KIRO 7 outline the allegations. Robinson is charged with third-degree rape of a child and third-degree child molestation.
According to investigators, Robinson frequently spent time with student athletes outside of school while working as a wrestling coach.
One student athlete reported Robinson and him were once alone, dog sitting for another student, when the coach offered him a massage, then sexually assaulted him, according to the court records.
The former student told police he was initially afraid to report the incident, because he believed Robinson owned guns and would retaliate against him.
The victim told investigators he shared a hotel room with Robinson years later while attending a former classmate’s college wrestling event, and Robinson watched him sleep for hours and touched his feet.
The victim said he finally came forward with the allegations after trying to decide whether his child should attend Bellingham Public Schools.
Mukilteo School District said in a statement that it hired Robinson in June 2026 after fingerprinting and background checks.
The district said it immediately placed him on leave after learning of his arrest on Oct. 29, 2026, and will monitor for any developments in the case.
According to jail records, Robinson was released on $100,000 bail October 31.
Robinson told KIRO 7 he had no comment.
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