Sentencing continued, jail fails to submit psychosexual evaluation

SANDPOINT — A Priest River resident has been found guilty of a sexual assault charge related to accusations filed in mid-August 2024.  

Eric James Owen has been charged and found guilty by trial of felony rape.  

In a sentencing hearing Monday, Owen, 41, was expected to be sentenced for committing felony rape. However, his hearing was continued to April 24 at 2:30 p.m. after the jail failed to submit a psychosexual evaluation, in a timely manner, on Owen’s behalf. 

A psychosexual evaluation is an assessment that evaluates an individual’s sexual interests, history and behaviors. Evaluations can be used to propose treatment plans and/or determine someone’s likelihood of reoffending.  

Owen, in jail since his arrest Aug. 18, 2024, remains at Bonner County Jail until his next sentencing hearing. 

According to court documents, Owen was originally charged with felony stalking in the first degree and misdemeanor driving without privileges, in addition to the rape charge. The additional charges were ultimately dismissed and/or removed by an amended charging document.  

According to a probable cause document, Owen, on or about Aug. 11, allegedly broke into the victim’s house and forced himself on her. The victim, who had a restraining order against Owen, told county officials that she repeatedly told Owen “no” after he allegedly said he was going to have sex with her. Court documents suggest that Owen continued to rape the victim, despite the requests to stop.   

Court documents shared that Owen continued to reach out to the victim after the alleged rape, messaging that “forcing myself on you [was] definitely [a] selfish act.” Documents indicated that there were several other attempts to message the victim, all of which violated the restraining order put in place by the victim.   

Owen could face up to life in prison for being found guilty of rape.