Charges dismissed in three-way sex case

SANDPOINT — Criminal charges were dismissed Friday against a Sandpoint man accused of engaging in a ménage a trois with a 14-year-old girl last fall.

Jordan Alexandre Pappier was originally charged with sexual abuse of a minor by solicitation, but a plea agreement reduced the charges to two misdemeanor counts of injury to a child.

Pappier, 24, entered Alford pleas to the amended charges, meaning he admitted no guilt but conceded that he could be convicted if the case went to trial.

Meanwhile, Pappier’s fitness to proceed in his criminal case was drawn into question. A mental health evaluation was conducted and it was determined that he was not competent to stand trial, meaning he was not capable of understanding the proceedings against him or assisting in his own defense.

Bonner County Prosecutor Louis Marshall moved to dismiss the case due to Dr. Carl Haugen’s determination that it was unlikely that Pappier’s competency could be restored.

“Based upon this report and the limited resources of the state, it is in the best interest to dismiss this case without prejudice,” Marshall said in the motion.

First District Judge Barbara Buchanan granted the motion on Friday, court records show.

Pappier, according to a Sandpoint Police probable cause affidavit, arranged the three-way sex act with the 14-year-old and his 17-year-old girlfriend in September.