On May 23rd, 2019, the Ferndale Police Department received a report regarding an allegation of a sexual relationship between at 15-year-old female student from Ferndale High School and a 20-year-old adult male who works part-time as a wrestling coach for the Ferndale School District.
During the investigation, in addition to the original victim, two other victims came forward. At this point in the investigation there is no indication that any of the incidents occurred on school grounds.
The 20-year-old part-time coach was identified as Dalton J Cristelli (04/26/1999) of Ferndale, Washington. He was contacted and booked into Whatcom County Jail. He is no longer employed by the Ferndale School District.
Ferndale Police Department established probable cause for the following charges:
Rape of a Child in the 3rd Degree: In March of 2019 Cristelli (age 19 at the time) had sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old female student. The difference in age between the two is over 48 months.
Rape in the 3rd Degree: In the spring of 2016, Cristelli had non-consensual sexual intercourse with a female who was the age of 15 or 16 at the time.
Rape in the 2nd Degree: Approximately 3 to 5 years ago, Cristelli had sexual intercourse with a female victim who was incapable of consent.
This is an ongoing investigation. Due to the nature of the crime and the age of the victims at the time of the incidents, no further information is expected to be released.
All press inquiries contact Communications Officer Riley Sweeney (360) 685-2353 or rileysweeney@cityofferndale.org