An Illinois man set to arrive in Unalaska and begin work as the Aleutian Island town's fire chief has been arrested and charged with sexual assault in his home state.
David Dunn, 43, stands accused of sexually assaulting a man during a going-away party celebrating his new job in Alaska, according to Champaign County state attorney Julia Rietz.
"The charges allege that on April 2, 2017, (Dunn) committed acts of sexual penetration with a victim who was unable to give knowing consent," Rietz said in an email.
The Savoy, Illinois, resident made an initial court appearance Monday in Champaign County on two charges of sexual assault, felonies that carry jail terms of four to 15 years, Rietz said.
An investigation by the county sheriff's office found that during the party for Dunn the victim drank alcohol, and then Dunn administered an IV on that person "to provide him with medication for nausea," Rietz said.
Instead of making the victim feel better, officials said he reported that the drugs administered stopped his ability to move or speak. That's when Dunn allegedly sexually assaulted the man, who reported the incident to police when he woke up the next morning.
During an interview with investigators, Dunn admitted he assaulted the victim, and told them he put an erectile dysfunction medication in the victim's drink, Rietz said.
A judge set bail at $500,000 and denied Dunn's request to leave the state.
Unalaska city manager Dave Martinson said Dunn was due to arrive in Anchorage on Monday and attend meetings with the Unalaska public safety director.
Dunn had been offered the job about a month ago and started the position a week ago, Martinson said. The fire department is in the process of buying a new vehicle, and Dunn traveled from Savoy to Wisconsin to check out the purchase, he said.
The City of Unalaska conducts background checks for new hires. The city's department of public safety also does a more thorough check for new hires to the fire or police departments because of security requirements, Martinson said.
"Nothing popped up for us," he said.
Now, the city is moving forward with once again advertising for the position.