Trial ordered in rape case

 SANDPOINT — A Bonner County man awaiting trial on two counts of statutory rape was ordered Wednesday to stand trial on a third statutory rape and additional charges of forcible rape and use of a computer device to entice an underage girl.

Jesse James Powell is scheduled to be arraigned on the new charges in 1st District Court on April 5. He remains held in lieu of $70,000 bail at the Bonner County Jail.

Powell, 23, is set to be tried on the older statutory rape charges in May.

Bonner County Magistrate Court Judge Justin Julian ruled during a preliminary hearing that a trial was warranted on the new charges, court records show.

Powell is accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl last summer and fall. He's further accused of forcing himself on the teen on one occasion, which the teen attempted to thwart but was overcome by force, a criminal complaint alleges.

The teen testified that she met Powell in Hayden and gave her his phone number and an email, which ultimately led to a physical relationship. Powell allegedly said he was 18 and the teen said she was also 18, but later confessed that she was 15, according to court documents.

She told the court she and Powell got into a fight on a property near Spirit Lake, prompting her to retreat into a bedroom. Powell, she said, followed and wanted to have sex, but she told him “no,” but he proceeded to engage in a sex act, court records indicate.

The teen said she was pinned and unable to get away. She further testified that Powell warned her that people he knew would come after her if she spoke of what happened to anyone, records show.

Powell invoked his right to remain silent during the hearing and did not testify. A friend, however, took the stand and testified that Powell and the teen were in a platonic relationship and never saw anything occur between the two which could suggest otherwise, court records indicate.

The new charges against Powell emerged as he was awaiting trial of having illicit sexual relationships with another 15-year-old and a 16-year-old in the summer and fall of last year. In both cases, he accused of enticing the teens over the Internet and text messaging.

Powell pleaded not guilty to the older charges, clearing the way for a three-day jury trial.