FERNDALE, Wash. – A Ferndale man is in custody after being accused of sexually assaulting a child.

City Communications Officer Riley Sweeney said that family members reported the assaults on June 23rd.

The victim, who is a minor, told investigators that they had been “groomed” by the suspect while he was babysitting them

They said the suspect would buy them video games and nicotine products in exchange for sexual favors.

The suspect, 37-year-old Jonah Blevins, was arrested on child rape and molestation charges on Friday.

He remains at the Whatcom County Jail on $50,000 bail.

And a Maple Falls man was arrested last Thursday, July 6th, on charges of attempted child molestation.

Whatcom County Sheriff’s spokesperson Deb Slater said that deputies responded to a report of sexual assault of a child on June 16th.

An investigation found probable cause to arrest 74-year-old Bradly Hicks with attempted child molestation first degree.

Hicks remains at Whatcom County Jail on $50,000 bail.