An SPD Officer Solicited Sex from a Detective Posing as an Underage Sex Worker
Though Ofc. Cleades Robinson was never charged, the OPA found more than enough evidence to terminate him for his texts to an undercover officer.
A Seattle police officer attempted to solicit sex from a detective posing as an underaged sex worker in December 2021, according to a report released by the Office of Police Accountability on Friday. Officer Cleades Robinson responded to bait ads titled “young spinner ask about the duo special” posted by a King County Sheriff’s Office vice operation.
Robinson exchanged texts with the undercover in which he negotiated prices for “QV,” a slang term used in sex work that means “quick visit.”
Robinson: Duo special
Undercover: What are you looking for?
Robinson: QV
Undercover: $80 QV sex each
Robinson: Ok. Maybe next time. I only have $120 today
Undercover: Can you bring alcohol or weed or something?
Undercover: We can make it work
Robinson: I have some alcohol
Undercover: Ok. Bring the $120 & the alcohol then
When the undercover officer asked Robinson “are you ok with young girls?” he replied, “I don’t think I can mess with under 18.”
Robinson remained interested but apparently started to suspect a setup.
He asked where they were located and if there were cops there. The undercover officer replied, “I don’t fuck with 12. your not a cop right? you have to tell me if you are!!!”
Robinson texted, “I’ve seen this [sic] shows where the cops are in the other room waiting for people to show up.” The undercover told him she was 15 and offered to send a picture to prove it. He replied, “No thanks. Bye.”
The undercover wrote, “Well ok I’m here all night,” and Robinson replied, “Which hotel?” After the undercover sent a picture, Robinson texted, “I don’t believe you,” ending the exchange.
KCSO obtained a warrant for Robinson’s phone, and location data showed that he parked a block away from the Radisson in SeaTac where the sting took place on the two days KCSO was running the operation.
OPA wrote that Robinson was likely “trying to figure out whether the person he was messaging was ‘setting people up.’” Robinson’s phone records also show he contacted other phone numbers associated with escort sites.
King County did not bring charges against Robinson because they did not think they could make a felony case against him.
However, OPA found there was more than enough evidence to show that Robinson committed at least two gross misdemeanors: patronizing a prostitute and communicating with a minor for immoral purposes.
Robinson acknowledged that the phone number was his but said that he could not recall the text exchange. He said that he thought it was someone he met on Tinder. Robinson told OPA he didn’t know the meaning of the sex work slang words like “duo special” and “QV” that he used in his texts.
OPA found Robinson’s explanations “beyond plausible” and said his claim that he was “just curious” was “preposterous.” OPA recommended termination, but Robinson resigned before final discipline was handed down in January.
Robinson isn’t the first SPD officer to be caught in a vice sting. Capt. Randal Woolery was arrested in November 2019 for attempting to buy sex on Aurora Ave. He retired before the OPA investigation was completed.
Traffic Officer Daniel Espinoza was arrested in 2004 for attempting to solicit an undercover in Lakewood. He wasn’t found guilty, but the department suspended him for 10 days. He’s still an SPD officer.