Richland Man Arrested for Promoting Prostitution at Bow Hill Rest Area

Bow Hill, WA – The Washington State Patrol responded to the Northbound Bow Hill Rest area on February 12th, 2017 for reports of a male with long hair dragging a female around soliciting her for sex.

According to a probable cause affidavit of arrest, Troopers arrived and contacted a semi-truck driver in the area whom had reported the incident. The truck driver advised he had been approached by a female in the rest area and was offered sex in exchange for money.

The truck driver declined and was later approached by a male who offered his girlfriend for sex for money.  The Truck driver again  declined and was immediately harassed by the man and had to retreat to his Semi-Truck from the bathroom area where he called 9-1-1.

Trooper then contacted the male who had been offering the female for sex near his camper. The male immediately began yelling at  Troopers. The man was detained and searched for Officer Safety reasons.  Troopers removed two knives from the mans pockets.  The man was identified as 57-year old  Kurtus Kocher with a last known address is Richland, Washington.

Mr. Kocher then threatened the three Troopers on Scene, including threatening to kill one of the Troopers by smashing his head with a rock over the hood of his patrol vehicle.

The female was also arrested on scene and confessed that she and Mr. Kocher had been soliciting her for sex in the rest area.

Mr. Kocher was booked into the Skagit County Jail where he is currently being held on an investigative hold for Promoting Prostitution and Harassment. He is being held in lieu of $5,000 bail.