Glacier seasonal employee admits to raping woman
STAFF REPORT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 8 months AGO
A seasonal employee accused of raping another seasonal worker in Glacier National Park admitted to the charges Wednesday.
According to acting U.S. Attorney Leif Johnson, Eduardo Luis Diaz, 26, of Chicago, pleaded guilty to charges of sexual abuse during a hearing. Diaz faces a maximum life in prison, a $250,000 fine, and five years of supervised release.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided. Judge Molloy set sentencing for June 24. Diaz was released pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents filed in the case that in July 2020, Diaz and the victim were both seasonal employees working in Glacier National Park for a private contractor and living in employee housing. The victim became intoxicated at a party and after she had passed out, Diaz sexually assaulted the woman. Another resident of the dorm assisted the victim after the assault.
When interviewed by a National Park Service ranger, Diaz told the ranger that he had engaged in sex with victim.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah Paisley is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the National Park Service.
ARTICLES BY STAFF REPORT
Connell woman killed in Booker Road crash
CONNELL — Charges are pending against a Kennewick man following a collision about 12 miles south of Othello that killed a Connell woman and injured three other people Tuesday evening. A Washington State Patrol press memo said intoxicating substances were a factor. Jessica Zarate, 37, Connell, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash near the intersection of SR 17 and South Booker Road, the WSP memo said. She was driving south on Booker Road approaching the intersection when her car was hit by a pickup driven by John Reiss, 62, Kennewick. Edgar Garcia Quirino, 28, Othello, was driving north on SR 17 and ran into Zarate's car, the WSP memo said. The crash occurred at about 6:40 p.m.
Wheeler Road closed because of traffic collision
UPDATE: The road was reopened as of noon, according to a GCSO media release. MOSES LAKE — Grant County Sheriff’s Office has announced there is a road closure between Road 3-NE and Road S-NE. There was a serious traffic collision. GCSO is asking for drivers to avoid the area and find alternative routes. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Doors opening: The Currents will provide homeownership for more local workers
About 104 homes are planned at the former Atlas sawmill site
Teachers, nurses, firefighters and other workers who keep Coeur d’Alene running will soon have more places to buy a home in the community where they work. About 104 homes are being planned to be built at Atlas Waterfront, on roughly 10 acres that are part of a swath of land that was once home to the Atlas sawmill and is being redeveloped. Ignite CDA, the city of Coeur d’Alene’s urban renewal agency, is leading this effort.