Woman claims ISP trooper coerced her into sex
A Bingham County woman has filed a federal lawsuit against a former Idaho State Police trooper for allegedly coercing her to have sex with him in an ISP patrol car.
The lawsuit was filed Wednesday by Ashlyn Moreno against Ryan Blackhawk, who was stationed at ISP’s Pocatello office.
According to the 18-page complaint, Blackhawk offered to help Moreno with federal drug charges she was facing in August 2013. The complaint says Blackhawk implied he had a lot of ties and could help Moreno.
After Moreno contacted Blackhawk in October 2013, the lawsuit alleges Blackhawk texted her sexually explicit messages, requested oral sex and then texted, ‘If you’re not going to give it to me, I’m just going to have to take it.’ Moreno also alleges Blackhawk suggested she “show the judge some nipple.”
According to the lawsuit, Blackhawk picked Moreno up in his ISP patrol car and took her to an ISP parking lot in Pocatello where she says he pulled her on top of him and began to kiss her before proceeding to have sex with her.
Moreno said she “felt compelled to engage in sexual intercourse with him,” and that Blackhawk threatened her if she told anyone what happened.
Moreno’s indictment on drug charges were dropped a week after she met with Blackhawk, the complaint said.
Idaho State Police released a statement Friday saying they learned of the lawsuit that morning and had not been served in the matter. “Allegations can be made and filed in a Complaint but the truth to actual facts in a case must be decided in a court of law,” the statement read.
It continued, “Idaho State Police take allegations of this nature against an employee very seriously. The allegations in this case originally stem from a criminal investigation of Ms. Moreno and others. The allegations made by Ms. Moreno against ISP employees were investigated by the FBI and reviewed by the US Attorney’s Office and no criminal charges were filed. Idaho State Police also conducted an internal investigation and Ryan Blackhawk’s employment was terminated for violations of ISP procedures. No other ISP employee was found to have violated ISP procedure in this matter.”
Moreno’s attorney, Brom Rammell, told Local News 8 his client is seeking unspecified monetary damages.
Here’s a copy of the complaint: Moreno vs Blackhawk