Fish and Game Officer Arrested

Joint Release Montpelier Police Department Idaho Department of Fish and Game Contact: Chief Greg Butler 534 Washington Street Montpelier, ID 83254 Wk: 208-847-4237 Fx: 208-847-1346 gregb@montpelierpd.com www.montpelierpd.com Contact: Jon Heggen - Enforcement Chief, Idaho Fish and Game 208-287-2763 Mike Keckler - Communications Chief, Idaho Fish and Game 208-287-2870 An Idaho Fish and Game conservation officer was arrested in Franklin County Monday evening. Joel Gunnell, 36, of Montpelier, was arrested by Franklin County and Idaho Fish and Game officers on a felony warrant charging him with rape. He is in custody of the Montpelier Police Department, which is conducting an investigation. Gunnell has been placed on administrative leave. He has worked for Fish and Game since 1998 and has been a conservation officer since 2002. "We take this matter very seriously," Idaho Fish and Game Director Cal Groen said. "We hold our officers and all employees to the highest standards, and we will cooperate fully with local authorities." Montpelier Police Chief Greg Butler confirmed that his agency is investigating Gunnell and has filed one count of rape and one count of sexual battery of a 17 year old against Gunnell. Chief Butler said Gunnell has been booked in the Caribou County jail and will likely be arraigned on the charges today. No further details are available at this time.