18-year-old charged with statutory rape of 14-year-old girl
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SHELLEY — An 18-year-old Shelley teen was arrested Thursday for the alleged statutory rape of a 14-year-old girl.
Benjamin John McMullen, 18, is charged with felony rape, a charge which holds up to life in prison if convicted. Most details of the case remain sealed; however, the criminal complaint obtained by EastIdahoNews.com gave the age of the alleged victim.
Under Idaho law, an 18-year-old cannot legally engage in sex with anyone under the age of 16, meaning if the incident was consensual, it is still considered a crime.
Magistrate Judge James Barrett Jr. set McMullen’s bail at $5,000, which he posted Friday.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 15 at the Bingham County Courthouse.