Sexual assault and kidnapping charges held against Michael Kobulnicky, a former Tea Party spokesperson and Carl DeMaio mayoral campaign volunteer, were dropped Thursday after the alleged victim rescinded her story this week.
Kobulnicky was charged ten days ago after the victim claimed she was kidnapped and raped on Fiesta Island after accepting a ride home from the defendant. Kobulnicky’s arrest followed a week later after witness tips identified him from a surveillance video, including other investigation on behalf of the San Diego Police Department that remained consistent with the victim’s story.
But shortly after the arrest, two acquaintances of the alleged victim came forward saying she had lied about the encounter according to Kobulnicky’s defense team. Just days after that announcement, the woman recanted her story altogether and admitted that she had lied about the kidnapping and rape.
Judge Timothy Walsh ordered Kobulnicky’s immediate release shortly thereafter.
“I feel great, you guys,” Kobulnicky told reporters outside court. “It’s so great when you tell everybody from the beginning that you’re innocent, that you haven’t done any crimes, and you’re hoping your best friends and your family will believe you, and there’s definitely people who stuck by my side.”
“When we receive new information that leads us to determine we can no longer prove a case beyond a reasonable doubt, we do the right thing and move quickly to dismiss the charges,” said District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis according to KUSI News.
If convicted, Kobulnicky would have faced a possible life sentence.
