Government + Politics

Former Idaho representative arrested on fugitive charge in Georgia

A warrant was issued for his arrest earlier in the month on a rape charge in Ada County

By: Kelcie Moseley-Morris - September 27, 2021 11:21 am

In this file photo, Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger, R-Lewiston, attends the legislative session at the Idaho Capitol on April 6, 2021. (Otto Kitsinger for Idaho Capital Sun)

Former Idaho Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger was arrested Friday in Clayton County, Georgia, on a fugitive from justice charge, according to Clayton County court records.

A screenshot of the inmate information attached to former representative Aaron von Ehlinger in Clayton County, Georgia. The address has been incorrectly labeled as Iowa instead of Juliaetta, Idaho.

Ada County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Patrick Orr told the Idaho Capital Sun via email that von Ehlinger was arrested and in custody at the Clayton County Jail, which is located about 20 miles south of Atlanta. Von Ehlinger was denied bail by a judge on Monday, according to Clayton County records.

As of Monday morning, Orr said he did not know of immediate plans to extradite von Ehlinger back to Idaho or when that might take place.

The Lewiston Tribune first reported a warrant for von Ehlinger’s arrest was issued by the Ada County District Court on Sept. 10, following an investigation by the Boise Police Department.

Von Ehlinger, who represented Lewiston in the Idaho Legislature, resigned his seat at the end of April following an ethics hearing in the Idaho House of Representatives over his conduct as a legislator. A 19-year-old intern on the legislative staff said von Ehlinger raped her by forcing her to perform oral sex. Two other female legislative staffers said von Ehlinger made them uncomfortable with unwanted advances.

Von Ehlinger has denied the accusation of rape, saying the sexual activity was consensual.

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Kelcie Moseley-Morris

Kelcie Moseley-Morris is an award-winning journalist who has covered many topics across Idaho since 2011. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Idaho and a master’s degree in public administration from Boise State University. Moseley-Morris started her journalism career at the Moscow-Pullman Daily News, followed by the Lewiston Tribune and the Idaho Press.