Trial nears for accused rapist

SANDPOINT — A trial date is looming for a southern Bonner County man accused of rape.

No resolution to the case was reached last month, clearing the way for a jury trial in 1st District Court in October.

Mark Ryan Wimpee Jr., 36, is free on a $25,000 surety bond while the case is pending, court records show.

A 25-year-old Post Falls woman told sheriff’s investigators she was raped in Wimpee’s home on March 18, 2018.

A criminal complaint alleges that the woman resisted but her resistance was overcome by force or violence, The complaint also alternately alleges that woman was prevented from resisting due to intoxication.

The woman told investigators she became ill after Wimpee served her an alcohol-infused lemonade drink and was effectively paralyzed.

Wimpee is accused of raping the woman after she rebuffed his sexual advances, according to court documents.

Wimpee, also known as Junior, declined to be interviewed by investigators and invoked his right to remain silent during a preliminary hearing in February.

He subsequently pleaded not guilty to the offense.

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