Ferndale Police booked a Ferndale man into the Whatcom County Jail yesterday, March 7th, after he turned himself in to police.
Zachary James Butorac, age 34, was charged with suspicion of 1st and 2nd degree child molestation.
Ferndale Police Lieutenant Matt Huffman said in an email Butorac was arrested after a child forensic interview disclosed that on two separate occasion over the course of 3 years had sexual contact with a minor, once when she was 9-years-old and again when she was 12.
The investigation began after an initial report was made to Child Protective Services and the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office according to Huffman. The crimes were reported to have been committed with Ferndale and Lynden city limits. Ferndale Police Department acted as the primary investigative agency.
According to jail records, Butorac was booked into the jail about 6:30am and was released after posting bail or bond shortly after 6pm that evening. Booking records indicated he was being held pending bail of $60,000.
Butaroc has prior convictions for drug possession and trafficking and a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm according to court records.