EMT's License Suspended While Facing Attempted Child Rape Charges

SEATTLE — The Washington State Department of Health has suspended a King County EMT's license while he faces charges of attempted child rape.

52-year-old Andrew Sapier was arrested after being caught up in Washington State Patrol sting operation last spring. The sting, "Operation Day Care", had officers posing as minors online to solicit sex with older men. The sting ended up capturing Sapier and three other Pierce County men. According to court documents provided by the DOH, Sapier offered to supply the officer posing as a child with alcohol and drugs. He also reportedly agreed to meet the officer and another underage friend, and promised to bring condoms.

Sapier was then charged with two counts of second-degree attempted rape of a child and one count of communication with a minor for immoral purposes. Now that his license has been suspended, Sapier cannot practice medicine in Washington until those charges are resolved. He has been given 20 days to respond to the charges or ask for a hearing. Sapier had been a licensed EMT since April 2010.

As a result of his initial arrest, SPD also reopened a closed case on Sapier, in which a 14-year-old contacted police, told them Sapier had given her alcohol and raped her. The case had been closed when officers lost contact with the child. Shortly after reopening the case, the child was relocated and Sapier has been charged separately for that incident in King County.

The DOH says Sapier's suspension is part of a continuous effort to promote public health, safety, and welfare in Washington by regulating the competency and quality of health care providers. The agency says anyone else who believes a health care provider has acted unprofessionally or illegally should call 360-236-4700 to file a complaint.