Probation Officer David Williams Accused of Harassment

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho

The Idaho Department of Correction has put a felony probation officer on paid leave for the second time in two years after a probationer complained she was harassed.

David L. Williams, 42, of Coeur d'Alene, was placed on leave in July after Wanda Arrington complained he called her at odd hours, sounding intoxicated and asking inappropriate questions.

"We take those types of allegations very serious," Eric Kiehl, district manager for the Department of Correction Community Corrections Division, told The Spokesman-Review. While the Office of Professional Standards investigates Arrington's claim and decides on a course of action, Kiehl said, Williams remains on paid administrative leave, earning an annual salary of about $43,000 as a senior probation officer. Williams is responsible for supervising felons, and he has the ability to arrest probationers and parolees.

Williams has worked with the Idaho Department of Correction since 1992.

Arrington complained that Williams called and asked if her fiance was naked and what color panties she was wearing.

Kiehl said Arrington, who is on probation for felony DUI, was the only person among the 80 to 85 probationers Williams supervised who has complained. At least one other person Williams supervised may have been interviewed after a review of Williams' phone records, Kiehl said.

It's not unheard of for probation officers to call clients at all hours, Kiehl said, to check if probationers are home by curfew or intoxicated.

"I'm not saying what Dave Williams is accused of doing is a normal operation, but it does happen," he said.

Williams was first placed on leave in March 2007 after he was arrested on charges of stalking his estranged wife. Tamara Dulhanty called police after her husband allegedly followed her as she delivered newspapers for the Coeur d'Alene Press.

She told police that an intoxicated Williams was driving erratically and called her and said he was going to "do something sick."

Williams was taken to Kootenai Medical Center, placed on a mental hold, then arrested at the hospital.

The Coeur d'Alene City Attorney's Office agreed to a conditional dismissal of the charges if Williams would seek treatment.

While Williams is on leave, other probation officers and supervisors including Kiehl are handling his caseload.

"Offenders on his caseload aren't just running around wild out there," Kiehl said. "They're being supervised."