A former Bellevue police officer has been released from jail after prosecutors dropped three charges against him.
John Kivlin, 48, walked out of jail Tuesday evening, after the King County Prosecutor's Office filed new court documents, amending charges related to witness tampering and violation of a protection order.
In August, Kivlin was arrested a third time accused of sending his ex-girlfriend 13 text messages, violating a no-contact order. But the 20 days he spent back behind bars may have been for something he didn't do.
In their latest court filing dated September 4, prosecutors admitted "...the State conducted a search of the defendant's phone," "...reviewed of the billing records," and determined that "the account set forth…is inaccurate."
The documents do not explain the true source of the text messages the woman received.
Kivlin met the woman on Craigslist, and their extra-marital affair allegedly spiraled into domestic violence, protection orders, and led to the end to his 16-year career with Bellevue police.
Sources tell KING 5 the same woman has leveled allegations of sexual assault against two other members of the Bellevue Police Department who she also claims to have met online, including Chief Steve Mylett.
Mylett has been on paid leave while Bothell Police investigate the criminal case against him.
When asked if the new developments will impact their investigation, a department spokesperson declined to comment.
The King County Prosecutor's Office declined to provide more explanation to the change in charges, except that they "re-evaluated the strength of the charges" and decided to not move forward with them.
The other four charges Kivlin faces, including domestic violence assault, still stand.
Kivlin was released based on the $5,000 bail he posted in June after a previous arrest.
