Fired Wilmington Firefighter Heading Back to Duty

Oct. 11, 2013
The 13-year veteran was found not guilty of a rape in Virginia.

Oct. 11--A Wilmington firefighter was reinstated to his position after losing his job following an arrest in Virginia on rape charges for which he was ultimately found not guilty.

Robert Hester, 40, of Elizabethtown, was given his job back at the Wilmington Fire Department following a civil service hearing, Malissa Talbert, city of Wilmington spokeswoman, confirmed Friday morning. Battalion Chief David Hines said Hester's civil service hearing was held Wednesday. Hester was reinstated as a master firefighter, but will not receive back pay, Hines said. Hester's first scheduled work day is Monday.

The 13-year veteran of the department was terminated in March following his arrest March 21 in Fairfax County, Va., on charges of rape and abduction. After being in custody for three days, Hester was fired for missing work.

On Aug. 7, he was acquitted of the charges after a jury found him not guilty on one count of sexual assault and the abduction. Jurors were hung on the second sexual assault count. The Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney stated he does not intend to retry Hester on the remaining charge. The victim in the case, whose name has not been released, is an acquaintance of Hester's. The extent of that relationship is not known.

Hester's reinstatement had the support of some coworkers and Fire Chief Buddy Martinette.

On Aug. 8, Martinette sent an email to city officials asking them to recommend Hester be reinstated so Martinette could present the recommendations to the city manager.

"At this point I would like to request that we reinstate Robert to his previous position and pay him retroactively to the day he was terminated," Martinette wrote in the email. "As most of you know, I was vehemently opposed to the way this situation was handled, however, I carried out my duties as the chief to terminate this employee."

Talbert said further details of Hester's reinstatement were not immediately available.

Attempts to reach Hester have been unsuccessful.

F.T. Norton: 343-2070

Copyright 2013 - Star-News, Wilmington, N.C.

Voice Your Opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Firehouse, create an account today!