Battle Ground man back in court, faces new allegations of lewd acts

A Battle Ground man suspected in several lewd acts throughout Clark County, including against a 10-year-old girl, was back in court Friday to face additional allegations.

Ethan Ambrose Richter, 21, appeared via Zoom in Clark County Superior Court on suspicion of indecent exposure and communicating with a minor for immoral purposes, stemming from a September incident in Battle Ground where a man approached a girl who was washing windows at a church. He had already appeared Monday on an allegation of indecent exposure in connection with an August incident at Vancouver Mall.

He is being held on $20,000 bail, between the two cases, and is scheduled to be arraigned Oct. 16.

Police say they believe Richter is the perpetrator of a number of lewd acts between April and September.

He was arrested Oct. 4 on an outstanding warrant, following a foot chase from a relative’s residence in Battle Ground, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

Following Richter’s arrest, police searched his home, as well as a relative’s home, where they found clothing and items Richter is seen wearing in surveillance footage of the alleged incidents, according to the affidavit.

Earlier this week, investigators said there may be victims who have not yet filed a police report. They encouraged anyone who believes they have been a victim of a crime involving Richter to call Vancouver police Detective Chadd Nolan at 360-487-7441.