Local woman says she was a sexual assault victim 30 years ago

An Idaho Falls woman is coming forward on a sexual assault allegation for an incident that happened over 30 years ago.

“I’m just very devastated and hurt and I don’t think I’ll ever heal,” said Leona Taylor, a victim of sexual assault.

Taylor was 16-years-old and knew the person who sexually assaulted her and thought that he was someone she could trust.

“I know every detail about it like it was yesterday. I was screaming, just terrified and just begged him to not do this to me and he just wouldn’t stop,” said Taylor.

After 42 years, Taylor struggles to let this go.

“It still bothers me to this day, and I really feel like Jefferson County should do something about. Even if I lose I can still face him and show him that you did this to me and I still think about it all the time.”

Jefferson county’s Prosecuting Attorney Paul Butikofer said regarding Taylor’s case, based on how old the case was and lack of supporting information to back up her allegation, that this case would not have a reasonable chance at prevailing in trial. So they declined prosecution.

But they don’t want this particular situation to discourage others from coming forward with a decade old allegation of their own. They consider sex crimes one of the highest priority cases and if reported a full investigation will be launched.

By calling in reports of past assaults helps detectives build a case against a person who may have committed the crime before.