Exploitation suspect pleads not guilty

SANDPOINT — A Post Falls man accused of sexually abusing a vulnerable adult in Bonner County pleaded not guilty on Monday.

Rex Daniel Clark’s plea sets the stage for a two-day jury trial in 1st District Court in March 2018.

Clark, 55, is free on his own recognizance while the case is pending.

Clark is accused of touching a 38-year-old woman’s breast and genitals at a cabin at Kelso Lake between January and September of this year, according to a criminal complaint. He’s also accused of having her perform oral sex on him.

Though well beyond the age of consent, the woman was incapable of providing consent she is developmentally delayed and has the capabilities of a 7-year-old child, court documents indicate. Clark insisted the sexual contact was consensual, although the woman met the statutory requirements of being a vulnerable adult.

Clark is accused of similar misconduct with the woman in Kootenai County, according to the Idaho Supreme Court Data Repository. The case is pending.

Clark came into contact with the woman because she used to reside in the home he shares with his wife, who operates a group regulated by the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare, court records show.

If convicted in either case, Clark faces up to 15 years in prison.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.