An indictment was unsealed Tuesday in federal court in Idaho, charging a former Caldwell Police Department sergeant with civil rights violations, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Ryan A. Bendawald allegedly sexually abused women and exchanging favorable police treatment for sexual acts.
According to court documents, Bendawald, 41, of Franklin, Tennessee, allegedly abused his position as a law enforcement officer by sexually victimizing women in Idaho.
From at least 2017 until 2021, Bendawald allegedly engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with at least seven women he encountered during his law enforcement duties.
Bendawald is also alleged to have exchanged and offered to exchange favorable police treatment for sex and sexual favors.
Bendawald is charged with two felony counts of deprivation of rights under color of law, five felony counts of federal program bribery, and one misdemeanor count of deprivation of rights under color of law.
If convicted on all counts, Bendawald faces up to life in prison.
The FBI Salt Lake City Field Office, Boise Resident Agency, is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Jordan Dickson and Kathryn E. Fifield of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine L. Horwitz for the District of Idaho are prosecuting the case.