Shelley man accused of having sex with teen he met on Facebook
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IDAHO FALLS — A 19-year-old man could face life in prison after he allegedly had sex with a 13-year-old girl.
Ruben R. Ponce, of Shelley, was arrested Monday on one felony count of lewd conduct with child under the age of 16.
According to court documents, the two met on Facebook and on Sept. 11, Ponce went to the victim’s home. She told police that Ponce knocked on her window and she left with him.
Ponce is then accused of driving the girl to a mobile home in Idaho Falls where the victim said she had consensual sex with him three times.
Court records state the victim’s mother received a text message from an unknown person saying her 13-year-old daughter was with Ponce at the mobile home on Broadway St.
The victims mother called police and when officers arrived, documents show that a man who was believed to be Ponce fled the area.
Later that night, the 13-year-old victim agreed to a sexual assault examination at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. Court documents say evidence was found that coroberated the victims account of sexual intercourse.
According to police reports, Ponce sent a text message the following day to a girl admitting he had sex with the 13-year-old.
Court records state the girl Ponce messaged is a victim in a pending case in which he is alleged to have impregnated her as a 13-year-old. Ponce was charged in that case with felony lewd conduct with a child under the age of 16 in February.
In addition, in February 2014, Ponce was found guilty of misdemeanor enticing children.
Ponce is held on a $200,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 4.