BELLINGHAM (WA)
The Bellingham Herald [Bellingham, WA]
May 19, 2025
By Hannah Edelman
A former long-term volunteer with the Assumption and Sacred Heart Catholic Parishes’ youth ministry program was sentenced Monday in Bellingham to 67 months in prison on charges related to the molestation of a young girl who was known to him.
A jury previously found Michael Wayne Breeding, 62, guilty of communication with a minor for immoral purposes and two counts of first-degree child molestation. Breeding was arrested in September 2021 and released the following day on bond.
The girl Breeding sexually abused met him through Assumption Church in Bellingham. According to court records, Breeding told the girl at a 2019 church function to visit pornographic websites. He later took her on bike rides, where he sexually assaulted her multiple times. Breeding threatened to harm her and her family if she disclosed the abuse.
The victim, now 15, spoke at Breeding’s sentencing in Whatcom County Superior Court. She said she looked at Breeding like an uncle, and that “something deep inside (her) has never been the same.” Her relatives described changes in her behavior and relationships with others following the abuse, which continues to affect her.
Her mother also spoke at the sentencing about a loss of trust and community. She said she no longer has a safe place to worship, as members of the church she attended for almost 17 years have “turned their back” on her family. Many of them sat behind Breeding in the packed courtroom Monday to show their support for him.
Sentencing
The state pointed to Breeding’s lack of accountability in asking Judge Lee Grochmal to impose an 89-month sentence, the top of the standard range for his charges. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Sophia Padgett referenced jail calls in which Breeding said the law was “disregarded” in his trial and called the legal system “broken.”
She said the victim was introduced to Breeding in a place that “should have been safe for her,” and he groomed her before the assault actually occurred.
Defense attorney Adrian Madrone said the trial result was “unexpected,” and that the legal proceedings have been “long and difficult and painful” for everyone in the courtroom. He said he has seen Breeding go through all the stages of grief since he was retained as his attorney, and that Breeding is willing to accept his punishment, though he maintains his innocence.
He asked Grochmal to sentence Breeding below the standard range.
Breeding said Monday that he has a “full acceptance” of the verdict and will do everything he can to serve his sentence with dignity. He asked for mercy, and said he will return home from prison as a better husband and father.
Court records show multiple motions filed on Breeding’s behalf asking for a new trial, all of which were denied. In a pre-sentence investigation report completed in January, Breeding said he “is hopeful that an appeal process will see things in his favor.”
Grochmal said she believes the victim and agrees with the jury’s verdict. She said she was glad to see Breeding will have support from the community following his release, and gave him credit for deciding at some point to no longer have contact with the girl. She sentenced him to 67 months in prison, the minimum of the standard range, followed by a potential lifetime in community custody.
Upon his release from prison, Breeding must register as a sex offender and have no contact with the victim.
Resources
▪ Brigid Collins Family Support Center: 360-734-4616, brigidcollins.org Brigid Collins Family Support Center professionals are on call between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday to answer questions about children, families, abuse prevention or treatment at 360-734-4616.
▪ Child Protective Services: Washington state hot line for reporting child abuse and neglect, 866-829-2153.
▪ Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services: 24-hour Help Line: 360-715-1563, Email: info@dvsas.org.
▪ Lummi Victims of Crime: 360-312-2015.
▪ Tl’ils Ta’á’altha Victims of Crime: 360-325-3310 or nooksacktribe.org/departments/youth-family-services/tlils-taaaltha-victims-of-crime-program
▪ Bellingham Police: You can call anonymously at 360-778-8611, or go online at cob.org/tips.
▪ WWU Consultation and Sexual Assault Support Survivor Advocacy Services: 360-650-3700 or wp.wwu.edu/sexualviolence. If you or a child is in immediate danger, call 911 and make a report to law enforcement. To report child abuse or neglect call 1-866-END HARM.
▪ NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Whatcom: www.namiwhatcom.org/crisis-resources.html
▪ Washington State Crisis Line/National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 or text HOME to 741741 for a crisis counselor
▪ Whatcom County Triage Center Crisis Line: 800-584-3578