A sergeant with the Spokane County Sheriff's Office turned himself in on Wednesday after he was accused of raping a fellow officer, a crime which his buddies on the force reportedly tried to cover up.
KREM reported that Sergeant Gordon Ennis was being held on suspicion of Rape 2nd Degree after an investigation by the sheriff's office determined that there was probable cause to charge him.
According to court documents, the victim told detectives that she was "very intoxicated" when she passed out in a guest bedroom following a party.
When she woke up, she found Ennis sexually assaulting her, the documents stated. She also stated that she heard Ennis say he needed to go home after she woke up.
Authorities said that Ennis cut his finger nails to destroy DNA evidence. But authorities said that Ennis was currently cooperating and had agreed to provide a DNA sample.
Officer Doug Strosahl, who hosted the party, was accused of tampering with evidence. He has not been charged with a crime, but officials said that he could still face disciplinary action.
Sergeant John Gately was also thought to have tipped Ennis off about the investigation. He is expected to be charged with Rendering Criminal Assistance 1st Degree and Obstructing a Law Enforcement Officer.
Gately is the head of the local police union.
Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich told KREM that the "victim is very strong, and has great resolve to see this through to the end."
"We would not have turned this case in requesting charges if we did not believe that this case actually happened," the sheriff said.
Watch the video below from KREM, broadcast Dec. 3, 2015.
Correction: The investigation determined that there was probably cause to charge Ennis. He had not yet been charged at time of publication.
