Man accused of drugging, raping PF woman

SANDPOINT — A preliminary hearing is set for a Bonner County man suspected of drugging and raping a Post Falls woman at his home near Athol.

Michael Ryan Wimpee Jr. is free on a $25,000 surety bond while the case is pending, court records show.

Wimpee, also known as Junior, was charged after the 25-year-old woman disclosed to sheriff’s investigators that he raped her on March 10, 2018.

She told authorities that she was socializing with Wimpee, 36, and his wife at the couple’s home, where Wimpee served her alcohol drinks.

In between her second and third drinks, the woman said she felt “off” and “sick” and subsequently became ill, according to a detective’s probable cause affidavit. The woman and Wimpee’s wife retired to the home’s master bedroom fully clothed and awoke to Wimpee telling his wife to tend to their children. She later awoke to Wimpee making sexual advances, which she attempted to rebuff.

“(The alleged victim) disclosed she felt helpless and she had no control over her own body,” Det. Barry Reinink said in the affidavit.

The woman said she was then choked and then repeatedly raped. A criminal complaint alleges that the woman’s resistance was overcome by force or that she was prevented from resisting due to an intoxicating narcotic or anesthetic substance.

The woman socialized with Wimpee’s wife in April and that Wimpee was unaware she had disclosed the prior incident to a coworker. The woman told investigators that Wimpee’s wife also was unaware of the allegations and took steps to protect herself by sleeping in a locked bedroom at the Wimpee home. She awoke to knocking at the door, which she assumed was Wimpee’s wife, but it turned out to Wimpee, who raped her again, court records indicate.

Wimpee is not charged in connection with the April incident, however.

Wimpee, acting on the advice of counsel, invoked his right to remain silent and declined to be questioned by investigators, court records indicate.

A hearing to determine if the state has enough evidence to warrant a trial in 1st District Court is scheduled for Wednesday in Bonner County Magistrate Court.

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