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Petition Alleges Zach Oyler Had History of Abusive Behavior

An emergency order of protection petition filed Wednesday by the wife of Peoria At-Large City Councilman Zach Oyler alleges a history of sexual abuse. 

The petition filed in Peoria County Circuit Court alleges Oyler has sexually assaulted his wife numerous times, with the most recent instance this past Friday. 

Regarding Tuesday's incident, the petition alleges Oyler was drinking at a bar before returning home, and proceeded to yell at his spouse for most of the night. When she tried to leave, she says Oyler took her phone, threw her to the ground and wrapped his arm around her neck. 

She wrote she managed to get into a bedroom and convince him to head out to the garage, at which point she called 911. She was told by the dispatcher to keep the line open when Oyler came back into the house. She put her phone in the purse as dispatchers listened in.

Peoria police officers soon arrived to Oyler's house on Bigelow Street and arrested the councilman on aggravated domestic battery charges. 

A bond hearing for Oyler was cancelled Wednesday, and he was released on $100 bond.

The emergency order of protection stipulates Oyler stay at least 300 feet away from his wife at all times. 

Oyler was appointed to the Peoria City Council in 2017 to fill a vacancy. He won a full four-year term in April. 

He's due in court again on September 11. 

Tim is the News Director at WCBU Peoria Public Radio.