Bellingham Schools Coach Arrested in 2013 Rape Case

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — A former Bellingham Public Schools employee who spent years coaching students and overseeing school safety now faces criminal charges stemming from an alleged sexual assault reported more than a decade after it occurred.

A former student, now an adult, contacted the district Oct. 8 and reported an alleged sexual assault involving Russell Kert Robinson in 2013. BPS immediately contacted the Bellingham Police Department and assisted detectives with their investigation.

Bellingham police arrested Robinson on Oct. 29 under a warrant listing charges of third-degree child rape and third-degree child molestation, according to the Whatcom County Jail booking log.

Police booked Robinson into the Whatcom County Jail at 6:22 p.m. The booking record lists a combined $100,000 appearance bond for both offenses. A bail bond secured his release at 8:22 a.m. Oct. 31.

The booking record identifies Whatcom County Superior Court case No. 2610101037. Both offenses appear under the same arrest event, with a $100,000 appearance bond listed for the two charges combined.

District referred allegation to police

Bellingham Public Schools said it immediately reported the allegation to the Bellingham Police Department and cooperated with investigators.

Robinson left Bellingham Public Schools in June 2026 to work for another school district. He is no longer employed by BPS.

Robinson coached wrestling and football between 2000 and 2024 and worked as a campus monitor from 2009 to 2021. In 2021, he assumed additional districtwide health and safety responsibilities before becoming director of safety and security in 2024.

The district described the allegations as deeply concerning and said it remains focused on student safety and supporting its community.

Robinson has not been convicted of the charges, and the allegations remain subject to the criminal justice process. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

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