Riley Tyrel Carter, 39, was arrested for first-degree rape of a child late Tuesday night by the Aberdeen Police Department and made his initial appearance in Grays Harbor Superior Court the next afternoon.

Carter, an Aberdeen resident and city councilor, was initially held without bail.

In Washington, legal code defines first-degree rape of a child as an offense where the suspect has sexual intercourse with a child of younger than 12 where the suspect is at least 24 months older than the victim. It is a Class A Felony, according to the state government website.

The case is in the hands of the Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office, said Deputy Chief Andy Snodgrass of the Aberdeen Police Department. Undersheriff Kevin Schrader of the sheriff’s office confirmed that the sheriff’s office is investigating, but did not offer any further comment due to the sensitivity of the case.

Aberdeen City Administrator Ruth Clemens said she had no comment. Replacement of a seat is a council matter, Clemens said. At press time, at least one councilor had allegedly taken to social media to decry Carter’s actions and state they would seek his removal.

Judge Vini E. Samuel presided over the initial appearance. His arraignment is scheduled for Monday, in order to give Carter time to secure legal counsel, due to the severe gravity of the charges.

Carter was arrested in January 2024 for domestic violence-assault, The Daily World previously reported.

Contact Senior Reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or michael.lockett@thedailyworld.com.