SPOKANE, WA – Acting United States Attorney Richard R. Barker announced that a federal grand jury for the Eastern District of Washington returned an indictment on April 2, 2025, charging Michael R. Trout, 45, with Abusive Sexual Contact of a Minor, Receipt and Possession of Child Pornography, and Commission of a Felony Sex Offense by an Individual Required to Register as a Sex Offender.
Trout was arrested by federal and state law enforcement officers and made his initial appearance in federal court on April 4, 2025.
The charges stem from a report received in late January 2025 by the Investigative Services Branch of the National Park Service. The report alleged an assault occurring between July 18 and July 23, 2024, within the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area.
Trout has prior convictions in Washington State for Rape and Burglary with Sexual Motivation, which required him under state and federal law to register as a sex offender.
Authorities encourage anyone with information related to potential additional crimes committed by Trout to contact the National Park Service crime tip line at 888-653-0009, email nps_isb@nps.gov, or submit a tip online.
The investigation is being conducted by the National Park Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the Washington State Patrol, and the Spokane Police Department, as part of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ann T. Wick.
An indictment is an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
