BOISE, Idaho — The trial for a former Caldwell Police Department sergeant accused of sexually abusing women has been pushed back until next year.
Court documents filed in late December show the jury trial for Ryan Bendawald was vacated until Jan. 21, 2025. His jury trial was originally scheduled to begin on Monday at the federal courthouse in Boise.
Bendawald's defense claims they need more time to prepare for the trial. Federal court records show because of the volume of documents received in discovery, his attorneys need additional time to finish their investigation, review discovery and prepare for the trial. The prosecution did not oppose the defense's motion, according to court records.
Therefore, the judge granted a continuance to "give defense counsel an opportunity to provide an effective defense."
Back in October, a grand jury indicted Bendawald on two felony counts of deprivation of rights under color of law, one misdemeanor count of deprivation of rights under color of law and five felony counts of federal program bribery. If he's found guilty on all charges, he faces up to life in prison.
Bendawald pleaded not guilty to his charges a few weeks later.
He's accused of sexually abusing women and trading sex for favorable police treatment while he was an officer with Caldwell PD. The U.S. Attorney's Office said he violated at least seven women's civil rights and abused his position as a law enforcement officer between 2017 and 2021.
Bendawald resigned from the Caldwell Police Department back in 2021 amid a years-long FBI investigation into the department.
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