Former King County deputy gets 366 days in jail for pimping wife, drug dealing, theft

SEATTLE -- Former King County sheriff's deputy Darrion Holiwell changed his plea to guilty Monday and was sentenced to 366 days in jail for promoting prostitution, theft and drug dealing.

Holiwell, who was arrested June 19 when he was still a deputy, apologized in court.

“Darrion Holiwell violated his oath, the trust of his fellow deputies, and the trust of the citizens of King County”, said King County Sheriff John Urquhart said on July 15 when he fired Holiwell.  “He does not deserve to be a police officer."

Holiwell has been on administrative leave since the investigation into his activities began in late April.



Holiwell, a 19-year member of the King County Sheriff’s Office, is behind bars after a 2 month investigation uncovered allegations he acted as pimp for his estranged wife who worked as a prostitute. Court documents obtained by Q13 FOX News say he told her, “If you’re going to have sex, you might as well get paid for it”.

“She was willing to do this but Darrion set her up. We believe there were some ads on Backpage.com. The money was co-mingled in their account. 80% of the money from this escort business went to Darrion,” said Urquhart in June.

“We also learned Darrion was using steroids and selling steroids to people outside the Sheriff’s Office and perhaps inside the Sheriff’s Office,” said Urquhart.

Investigators say Holiwell also made money selling live and used SWAT team ammo to local gun shops.

“To the tune of $45,000 to $50,000 between 2007 and now it was a slush fund for the SWAT team,” said Urquhart.

During a search of Holiwell’s home, authorities say they found steroids, amphetamines and a drug called Methylone which is a form of ecstasy. Sheriff Urquhart says this investigation is far from over.

Holiwell and his wife are going through a divorce and have two small children together.