Vancouver teacher arrested on rape charge in Portland

UPDATE: The case against Ryan David Murphey was dismissed Dec. 14, 2018, in Multnomah County, Ore., Circuit Court, online court records show.

An English teacher at Henrietta Lacks Health and Bioscience High School in Vancouver is facing a rape charge in Multnomah County Circuit Court in Oregon.

Ryan David Murphey, 36, was arrested Wednesday by Portland police on suspicion of first-degree domestic violence rape stemming from an April 16, 2016, incident. He was charged on a secret indictment handed down by a grand jury March 15. Murphey entered a not-guilty plea to the charge Thursday, court records show.

The high school notified students and parents of Murphey’s arrest in a letter Friday. It states that the charge stems from an incident involving Murphey and a woman. There’s no connection to the school, staff or students, according to the letter.

Murphey was placed on administrative leave as soon as the school learned of his arrest, which will remain in effect until at least the end of the school year, the letter states. The school is in the process of finding a long-term substitute teacher to fill in for the remainder of the year.

“We know this incident, although not connected to our school, may be upsetting for some students. We are ready to assist and support any student that may need help,” the letter reads.

Murphey has been employed with Evergreen Public Schools since December 2012 and has been at Henrietta Lacks high school since August 2016, according to district spokeswoman Gail Spolar.

Murphey was released Thursday from the Multnomah County Jail in Oregon after posting $25,000 bond, court records show.