In a significant child sex trafficking sting operation, Alex Díaz Rios, a former assistant principal at TOPS K-8 in Seattle, was arrested by Renton Police Department detectives. The undercover operation, which took place in September, involved officers posing as minors to attract men attempting to solicit sex. Díaz Rios communicated with an undercover officer, believing he was speaking to a 15-year-old boy, and agreed to meet at a hotel. He failed to appear at the meeting, leading to his arrest and a charge of soliciting prostitution. Seattle Public Schools acted swiftly, placing him on administrative leave and finalizing a separation agreement.

This incident is part of a larger operation that resulted in the arrest of seven men, with local law enforcement stressing the importance of protecting children from exploitation. The case has raised serious concerns about the safety and accountability of individuals in educational roles, prompting the district to review Díaz Rios’s professional licensure.