Lawmakers, IRC make statements on rape case involving Afghan in Missoula
MISSOULA, Mont. — The Missoula Police Department filed a search warrant Friday morning in the sexual assault case against 19-year-old Zabihullah Mohmand.
The search warrant will allow investigators to examine and search for DNA evidence found on Mohmand, his clothing or other items brought in as evidence.
Mohmand is accused of raping an 18-year-old girl in his hotel room last weekend.
Charging documents say the two met at the Badlander bar in downtown Missoula before moving to a hotel nearby.
The accuser, referred to in court documents as Jane Doe, says Mohmand forced himself on her and raped her when they arrived at the hotel.
Mohmand says all sexual acts were consensual.
State officials confirmed Mohmand is involved with federal Afghan resettlement efforts in Montana.
Gov. Greg Gianforte says Mohmand did not have a Special Immigrant Visa status.
The governor, along with U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale, is calling for a re-evaluation of the vetting process before resettlement efforts can be continued in Montana.
“I called on the Biden administration to make sure that these refugees are fully vetted. It’s not clear to us what occurred in this situation, so we are asking the Biden administration to halt the placement of refugees here until they can assure us that the people that are being placed -- our allies have been fully vetted,” Gianforte said during a press conference Thursday.
“The simple fact that we just saw an assault -- a rape -- take place in Missoula this past weekend, and now we are getting reports that it was from a humanitarian parolee stresses the necessity that we have a better accounting of who is coming into our country,” Rosendale said in an interview Thursday.
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines has also commented on the case, saying in a statement that the response from the Biden administration has been insufficient.
Daines is demanding detailed information about Mohmand’s vetting and screening process prior to being placed in Montana.
U.S. Sen. Jon Tester said in a statement that the report is deeply disturbing and reaffirmed his belief that all Afghan refugees must be fully vetted.
The International Rescue Committee sent NBC Montana a statement Friday afternoon saying, “Resettlement Agencies like the IRC cannot confirm identities or case information due to client confidentiality. This case is reported to be ongoing and with limited information, we won’t comment extensively on this case. The IRC is deferring further comment to the Missoula Police Department at this time.
"We remain steadfast that the alleged actions of one individual are not reflective of refugee or immigrant communities. For decades we have welcomed immigrant families and have watched them thrive and contribute to their communities and the nation.”
The investigation into the incident is still ongoing, and Mohmand has not appeared in District Court to enter a plea to the charges.
His arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 1.
