BOISE, Idaho — A felony rape charge against a Boise Police officer has been dropped at the request of the prosecutors needing more time to present evidence to the court.
Eric M. Simunich, 43, was arrested on October 16th after the investigation of an incident that allegedly occurred when the officer was off duty. Ada County prosecutors say the Oct. 16 charge stems from a date Simunich had three days earlier with a woman he met online.
Prosecutors say they went back to her home after dinner where she told police Simunich forced himself on her, left bruises and threw her phone out of her grasp.
A post on the Boise Police website from that day read, "Per Boise Police Department protocol, the officer has been suspended pending the conclusion of the Ada County Sheriff’s Office criminal investigation and a BPD internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident."
Twin Falls County Prosecutor, Grant Loebs was appointed to the case after the Ada County Prosecutors office cited a conflict of interest. Loebs dismissed the charge without prejudice, meaning charges could be filed later if probable cause is found.
Simunich has been an officer with the police department for 19 years. His bond has been set for $250,000. The alleged victim has been granted a no-contact order.
Simunich is still under investigation.
A Boise police spokesperson could not be reached for comment.
