Mayor issues statement after zoo worker’s arrest

The Idaho Falls mayor issued a statement Friday on “extremely troubling” events that led to the arrest of a zoo worker on sexual charges.

Raymond Probert of Pocatello, 56, turned himself in Tuesday to Bonneville County sheriff’s deputies on suspicion of sexual battery of a child age 16 or 17 by lewd or lascivious acts.

Probert, who had worked at the city zoo since 1996, is accused of abusing a girl who volunteered with the “Junior Zoo Crew.”

Mayor Rebecca Casper said Park and Reaction Director Greg Weitzel “promptly reported” suspicious activity to law enforcement. Probert was fired Sept. 4.

“I assure you quite adamantly that policies and procedures are constantly being reviewed to keep community members and employees safe,” said Casper. “City staff is taking proper steps to ensure that city employees, zoo patrons and all others are safe and well cared for at the zoo and in all other parts of the city. We are steadfast in our concern for providing safe and high-quality community programming.”

Probert faces up to life in prison if convicted.