Statements were issued this week by the Yelm Community Schools district and a levy-supporting organization following reports that Joshua Headley — who according to a court conviction groomed and sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl he was mentoring as a pastor at Auburn’s Northwest Family Church — worked on an independent levy campaign in Yelm.Both Yelm Community Schools and Citizens for Support of Yelm Schools have issued statements on the controversy after recent reporting brought the activity to light. Citizens for Support of Yelm Schools was among a long list of candidates and causes who paid for the services of Headley, who had been using a different last name — Seeley — to conduct business.
Background:Headley’s offense was first reported to the Auburn Police Department in 2018, and he was formally charged with rape of a child in the third degree in January 2020. Despite the charges and a subsequent plea agreement — which dictated that he register as a sex offender — Headley filmed the Miss Auburn and Miss Auburn Teen pageants.He operated through his business, Seeley Media LLC. He pleaded guilty on June 22, 2022, though Nancy Backus, Auburn mayor, voiced support for Headley and asked the court for treatment for the man rather than jail time. Ultimately, Headley was sentenced to 13 months — though he’d only serve six. Two months after his release in May 2023, Headley launched a new business, Seeley Media, with his name appearing nowhere on the state license — despite that under the Revised Code of Washington (RCW 9A.44.130) it’s legally required that sex offenders report any aliases to law enforcement within three business days of use.
Involvement in Thurston CountySeeley Media was hired to record pro-levy content for a local group now known as Citizens for Support of Yelm Schools. According to pdc.wa.gov, Citizens for Support of Yelm Schools paid Seeley Media LLC three separate times at values of $2,500, $1,000 and $699. He received those payments on Jan. 17, 2025, and Jan. 29, 2025.Outside of his work with the levy group, Seeley Media LLC has also received payments from Rachel Grant, Thurston County commissioner, at values of $3,150 on Sept. 6, 2024, and $3,129 on Aug. 30, 2024. Additionally, Lacey City Council candidate Ryan Siu contracted Seeley Media LLC, and gave Headley’s company a payment of $300 on May 1, 2025. A second Lacey City Council candidate, Maren Turner, also used Seeley Media LLC’s services and paid Headley out at values of $625 on April 13, 2025, and $350 on June 19, 2025. To see a complete list of local candidates and political committees who used Seeley Media LLC’s services, view pdc.wa.gov’s listings at https://tinyurl.com/SeeleyMediaPayments…