BOISE, Idaho — Jurors heard opening statements and witness testimony Thursday in the first full day of the trial against former Caldwell Police sergeant Ryan Bendawald. He is accused of sexually abusing multiple women and trading sexual favors for favorable police treatment.
In its opening statements, the U.S. Attorney’s Office accused Bendawald of using his position as a police officer to sexually abuse two women and deprive them of their rights. The office also accused him of requesting or accepting sexual favors from three other women in exchange for not arresting or recommending charges against them.
A prosecutor told jurors the women were involved in drugs or gangs and when they were caught committing crimes, they were in a corner. Because of that, the government said, Bendawald targeted them…