Felony Rape Charge for Transgender (Male) Wrestler Referred to Prosecutor
Sheriff finds probable cause male competing for Emerald Ridge High School raped female competitor during girls wrestling match last Dec; 190-lb biological male scheduled to compete at State Thursday
UPDATE 7:51 pm — The WIAA confirms that the accused wrestler has withdrawn from the state tournament.
PIERCE COUNTY — A transgender (biological male) wrestler competing for the Emerald Ridge High School (ERHS) girls wrestling team is the subject of a felony rape charge referred to prosecutors by the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office last week, J425 can exclusively report.
The charge of Rape in the Third Degree (RCW 9A.44.060) came after law enforcement investigated 16-year-old alleged victim Kallie Keeler’s report that she was sexually assaulted during a Dec. 5, 2025 girls wrestling match between Keeler’s Rogers High School and ERHS. Keeler wasn’t aware she was wrestling against a biological male until after the match.
J425 reported Keeler’s allegation last week, as well as reports that Puyallup School District ignored safety complaints lodged by 13 of the transgender wrestler’s female teammates. Both schools are part of the Puyallup School District.
Rape in the Third Degree is a Class C Felony that carries up to five years in prison, up to a $10,000 fine and mandatory sex offender registry upon conviction, — although juveniles convicted of Rape 3 typically face much lower penalties (15 - 36 weeks incarceration) and sex offender registry is usually waived, absent a specific finding that the youth is a “serious threat to public safety” or they have a prior sex offense. In most first-time cases, the duty to register is waived entirely to “reduce stigma” and aid in rehabilitation.
Undisputed with Brandi Kruse was first to report that Keeler and her parents told coaches and administrators of the incident verbally on December 6 and in writing on December 8. Kruse said that the Keeler’s received a promise of “due diligence.”
But law enforcement confirmed they didn’t receive a report until 54 days later.
“The Puyallup School District contacted our school resource officer at Rogers High School on January 30 and stated there was a video that needed to be reviewed due to allegations that were made,” said Deputy Carly Cappetto, with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office.
Capetto said the criminal investigation included interviews with the alleged victim and her mother, as well as video of the alleged assault.
The minor named in the rape referral declined to participate in the investigation. The law protects minors from police interrogations when they haven’t talked to an attorney first.
Last week, upon the completion of the investigation, Cappetto confirmed
