All charges dismissed against McDaniel

All charges were dismissed against a 43-year-old Blaine man who had been accused of trapping, molesting and raping a 13-year-old girl in November.

At a February 26 hearing in Whatcom County Superior Court, charges of second-degree child rape, second-degree child molestation and unlawful imprisonment were dismissed against Jeremy Michael McDaniel.

“It is hereby ordered, adjudged and decreed that there is insufficient evidence to support conviction,” said a February 26 order of dismissal signed by a judge and deputy prosecuting attorney Evan Jones. “In the interest of justice, the above-entitled cause shall be and is hereby dismissed without prejudice.”

McDaniel said that the charges had no basis in reality and that he was unfairly targeted. “I feel sorry for all those people out there that this has happened to,” he said. “It’s not fair that someone can just blurt out accusations like that. And then they can just scoop you up and put you in jail.”

McDaniel continued: “It’s wrecked my life, it’s cost me a lot of money, it’s cost me time in jail. Now I’m trying to start over again. I’m not trying to badmouth anyone or anything, but it’s bullshit that this happened. I’m glad they put an end to it.”