An Idaho inmate is being held without bail after a woman accused him of raping her at a wildfire camp in August.
The Idaho Department of Correction has pulled back 80 low-risk inmates who were deployed fighting wildfires or supporting fire crews across the country.
27-year-old Ruben Hernandez was part of a group of inmates sent to central Utah to help support crews battling a large wildfire.
Prosecutors say he sexually assaulted a woman who was also working at the camp after she rebuffed his advances several times.
According to court records, the woman was in a wash trailer watching a movie when Hernandez came in and asked for oral sex, which she refused. Charging documents say Hernandez then assaulted her. She says she didn't scream or stop him because she knew he was a prisoner and didn't want to get hurt.
The woman later told a friend about the assault who alerted security guards at the camp.
Hernandez had been serving time on a drug-related conviction and was eligible for parole next year.
He could face up to life in prison if he’s convicted of felony rape.
Idaho Department of Correction spokespereson Jeffrey Ray says the agency is reviewing the the case, as well as how they select, train and deploy inmates to wildfires. Ray says he's never heard of an inmate accused of a violent crime while working with a camp or fire crew during the 11 years he's been at the agency.
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