Investigations Underway After Alleged Sexual Assault During Wrestling Match

Federal and local authorities are looking into the incident involving a transgender athlete at a high school in Puyallup, Washington.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The U.S. Department of Education is investigating the Puyallup School District following allegations that a transgender athlete sexually assaulted a female wrestler during a match in December 2025. The Pierce County Sheriff's Office is also conducting a criminal investigation into the incident, which has been referred to the prosecutor's office.

Why it matters

This case has raised concerns about the participation of transgender athletes in female sports and the handling of such sensitive allegations by school districts. The investigations will examine whether the school district violated the civil rights of female athletes by allowing the transgender athlete to compete.

The details

According to authorities, a wrestler from Rogers High School claims she was sexually assaulted during a match in December by a wrestler from Emerald Ridge High School, who is transgender. The criminal investigation included interviews with the alleged victim and her mother, as well as video of the alleged assault. However, the sheriff's office has not been able to interview the accused athlete due to state laws protecting minors from police interrogations without an attorney present.

  • The alleged incident occurred in December 2025.
  • The Puyallup School District contacted the school resource officer at Rogers High School on January 30, 2026 about the allegations.
  • The sheriff's office referred a rape charge to the prosecutor's office this week.

The players

Puyallup School District

The school district where the alleged incident took place and is now under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education.

Rogers High School

The high school of the alleged victim, a female wrestler.

Emerald Ridge High School

The high school of the accused transgender athlete.

Pierce County Sheriff's Office

The local law enforcement agency conducting a criminal investigation into the alleged assault.

U.S. Department of Education

The federal agency investigating the Puyallup School District for potential civil rights violations regarding the participation of transgender athletes in female sports.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This is not a cut and dry case and that's why everything we have done is as far as we can go in the investigation, so It's really going to be up to that prosecutor to make a decision on if they want to do any formal charges, if there is enough to prove a crime has happened.”

— Deputy Carly Cappetto, Pierce County Sheriff's Office (king5.com)

“The Puyallup School District contacted our school resource officer at Rogers High School on January 30 and had stated there was a video that needed to be reviewed due to these allegations that were made.”

— Deputy Carly Cappetto, Pierce County Sheriff's Office (king5.com)

What’s next

The prosecutor's office will decide whether to file formal charges based on the criminal investigation by the Pierce County Sheriff's Office. The U.S. Department of Education's investigation into the Puyallup School District's handling of the case and transgender athlete policies is ongoing.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex and sensitive issues surrounding the participation of transgender athletes in female sports, as well as the challenges schools face in properly addressing allegations of sexual assault. The investigations will likely shape future policies and guidelines around transgender athlete inclusion and the protection of all student-athletes.