County Knowledge and Alleged Indifference
St. Clair’s complaint accuses Holloway of coercing her into sexual acts more than 20 times via text and video platforms. She says she felt powerless to refuse because Holloway reminded her of prior arrests and uncharged crimes.
Her uncle even alerted the sheriff’s office in 2014, but according to the lawsuit, the county merely instructed Holloway to stay away—without enforcing the order. St. Clair later learned from a 2021 news article that Holloway allegedly exploited other vulnerable women.
The appeals panel said Okanogan County may have shown a “pattern of indifference,” citing her claims that multiple deputies engaged in similar misconduct and that a 2019 audit found serious gaps in handling complaints.
What Comes Next
The case now returns to the lower court, with the panel directing that St. Clair be allowed to amend her claims against the county.
Her attorney, Tyler Hotchkiss, called the ruling “a victory not just for Ms. St. Clair but for women facing similar abuse of power.” Attorneys for Holloway and Okanogan County either declined comment or did not respond.
The panel included Judges McKeown, Richard A. Paez, and Gabriel P. Sanchez.
St. Clair is represented by Tyler D. Hotchkiss of Foreman Hotchkiss Bauscher & Zimmerman PLLC. Okanogan County is represented by Patrick McMahon of Carlson & McMahon PLLC, while Holloway is defended by Amanda B. Kuehn of Law Lyman Daniel Kamerrer & Bogdanovich PS.
