IDAHO GOES DOWN A lady accused a former captain of the Idaho Falls Fire Department of breaking into her home and sexually assaulting her, leading to the officer’s imprisonment.
The charges against Robert Zaladonis, 59, include a misdemeanor for sexual battery and a felony for battery with intent to conduct a major offense and forcible penetration by use of a foreign object.
Zaladonis is a former firefighter from Idaho Falls, according to court records. Prior to retiring in 2019, he served as an IFFD fire captain, according to older posts on the Idaho Falls Fire Department’s Facebook page.
When EastIdahoNews.com contacted the city of Idaho Falls for response, municipal spokesperson Kimberly Felker provided the following statement:
The former city employee Robert Zaladonis has been charged with sexual assault, and the city of Idaho Falls is aware of this. From March 1993 to June 2019, this person worked for the city; they are no longer employed by the city.
On September 22, according to police reports, a woman called the Idaho Falls Police Department to report that a guy she knew from her job, Zaladonis, had entered her house and bedroom without her consent while she was in bed and had sexually attacked her.
Officers were informed by the victim that Zaladonis groped her and held her by the neck before declaring he would have sex with her. According to reports, the victim urged Zaladonis to halt and vacate her house.
Court documents state that when Zaladonis heard other persons in the house, the assault ceased.
After the victim from the bedroom, Zaladonis followed her into the kitchen, where she repeatedly reminded him that he had to leave. Her claims to police were supported by a family member who claimed to have seen the altercation.
The woman recalled the incident and said that Zaladonis had sexually abused her against her will during a detective interrogation. Additionally, she gave the detective a text exchange in which she confronts Zaladonis about the incident.
The victim replied, “I truly did not appreciate how inappropriate you were.” And it truly irritates me that you didn’t stop when I repeatedly asked you to.
According to reports, Zaladonis said, “Okay, I’m sorry you feel that way.” In response, the victim said, “I’m not okay right now, Bob.” I never asked for friends or anything like this.
Additionally, the victim informed Zaladonis that his actions were harsh and unacceptable.
Later, while a detective listened in on the taped phone conversation, she questioned Zaladonis about the incident.
In court documents, Zaladonis said, “You’re making accusations that I do not agree with, good-bye,” and hung up without acknowledging the assault.
After obtaining a search warrant, detectives allegedly discovered a lengthy communication thread with the victim on Zaladonis’ cell phone. Detectives said that during the chat, Zaladonis made several sexual approaches toward the victim, all of which she rejected.
According to police reports, investigators observed communications from the victim questioning Zaladonis about the incident after it happened, but they did not find any proof that the victim had invited him to her house the night of the alleged assault.
The recorded confrontation call and calls made the night of the alleged assault are among the several calls between Zaladonis and the victim that investigators claim he erased.
According to court documents, the police tried several times but were unable to speak with Zaladonis.
On March 28, a warrant for his arrest was issued, and he was placed on a $20,000 bond at the Bonneville County Jail. The following day, he was freed after posting his bond.
On June 24, Zaladonis is anticipated to show up for a follow-up preliminary hearing. He could spend up to life behind bars if found guilty.
Zaladonis may not have committed these offenses, even if he has been charged with them. Until someone is proven guilty, they are all presumed innocent.
