Idaho TV weatherman John Holland charged with felony rape

A TV weatherman in south-central Idaho has been charged with felony rape after woman claims he placed his hand on her throat during violent sex attack in his home.

Prosecutors say that KMVT-TV's John William Holland, 23, used 'force or violence' to restrain a woman during the attack on Friday night. 

The woman told officers with the Twin Falls Police Department she met Holland for a date on on Friday at a local restaurant where they had drinks, Times-News reported. She agreed to go back to his apartment for dinner, where he allegedly poured her a heavy alcoholic drink. 

According to Times-News, the woman told police that she laid on the couch because she didn't feel well, and that he removed her underwear from under her dress.

The alleged victim claims that she told him to stop, but he started to grab under her dress before he led her 'to his bedroom while she was stumbling,' according to court documents.

Holland allegedly removed her dress and pushed her onto the bed, before throwing a wrapped condom on her chest. 

 

She told police with the Twin Falls Police Department that Holland (above) initiated sex, but that she declined three times and he refused to stop

'It was from this point on that she knew Holland was going to rape her,' court documents said. 

The woman told police that she threw the condom back at him and told him that 'she did not want to do this', to which he responded that he was 'pro-condom.' 

Court documents said that Holland placed one hand on her throat while attacking her as she asked again for him to stop. 

The woman said it ended when he got up and said he was 'sorry to disappoint' and told her that he was done, Times-News reported.  

When she told him she needed to leave, the woman said he had a conceed look on his face and that he put her underwear back in her purse saying 'not to forget them.' 

Authorities obtained a search warrant and recovered physical evidence from his home after she contacted police about the incident whens he left.

Chuck Peterson, Holland's attoey, said during Monday's arraignment that his client 'adamantly denies the charge.'

'I think this is an incredibly thin case, and we're going to defend it,' Peterson told the Times-News after the arraignment. 'I don't think he's guilty of anything.'

Holland, who goes by the name Jack on-air, is currently on leave from the CBS affiliate.  

'We are reviewing the information provided to us by the court about Mr. Holland's arrest and charge,' the station's general manager said in a statement.

'We take the allegations seriously, and we will follow this situation and report on it as we would any similar case.'

Holland appeared in Twin Falls County Magistrate Court on Monday where he entered a not guilty plea. 

His bond was requested to be $50,000, but the judge reduced the amount to $10,000. 

Holland's preliminary hearing has been scheduled for February 12, and a no-contact order has been issued for the alleged victim. 

If he is found guilty, he could face one year to life in prison and also could pay up to $50,000 in fines.

According to his LinkedIn page, Holland graduated from Florida State University with a Meteorology degree in May of 2014. 

Shortly after graduation, he was hired by KMVT-TV to be their moing meteorologist. 

On his biography section on LinkedIn, Holland, who is originally from Ohio, wrote: 'Broadcast meteorology to me is an important responsibility. 

'When the weather gets severe it is my job to keep the public safe and informed.'