Suspect in rape case pleads guilty

SANDPOINT — A Spirit Lake man pleaded guilty to statutory rape for engaging in a sexual relationship with his girlfriend’s underage daughter.

Joseph Blaine Herbst faces up to 20 years in prison, but will qualify for parole after serving five years, according to the terms of a plea agreement in his case.

The agreement is not binding upon the court when Herbst is sentenced in 1st District Court in October.

Herbst remains held at the Bonner County Jail.

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