A Lakewood man arrested in 2019 for sexual assault of a 12-year-old Hoquiam girl pleaded guilty to a “host of sex offenses throughout the state and a residential burglary in McCleary” and was sentenced to 28 years to life in prison, according to a statement from Hoquiam Police Det. Sgt. Jeremy Mitchell, the lead investigator in the case.

Jeremiah David Shallow pleaded guilty to three charges April 19 in Grays Harbor County Superior Court: second degree rape of a child, third degree rape, and residential burglary.

“The case started with a 12-year-old runaway girl from Hoquiam, who fell into Shallow’s realm and was dumped in Skamania County,” said Mitchell.

According to Hoquiam Police Chief Jeff Myers, the 12-year-old and a 13-year-old from Lakewood were looking for a ride and were referred to Shallow, then 21, who went by “Gucci” on social media, in June of 2019. Shallow reportedly took the 12-year-old to a Lakewood park where she was sexually assaulted. Shallow then drove the girl to a residence in McCleary, which he burglarized, and sexually assaulted the girl again. According to investigators, Shallow drove the victim to various locations around southwest Washington and into Oregon before dropping the victim off in Skamania County.

“As the investigation has progressed, detectives became concerned there were likely other juvenile victims in Washington and possibly northern Oregon,” said Hoquiam Police Chief Jeff Myers. “As detectives reviewed phone records, it appeared the suspect actively targeted troubled, underage vulnerable girls via social media and text message communication.”

Shallow had also faced charges in Skamania County Superior Court for kidnapping, but those charges were dropped.

“Good job to those who worked this case, specifically Deputy Chief Strong, Sgt. Krohn, Sgt. Blundred, Det. Peterson, Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Ramirez, and Skamania County Sgt. Taylor,” said Mitchell.