Pocatello man charged with rape of 15-year-old girl
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POCATELLO — A 19-year-old man police say was involved in a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl faces a felony charge.
Eli Flores has been charged with rape of a minor 16 or under, court records show.
Chubbuck police officers spoke with a woman regarding the alleged sexual assault of her 15-year-old daughter on Sept. 11, according to an affidavit of probable cause. The attack occurred sometime between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. that morning.
Officers spoke with the victim, who said she did not know the man involved, adding the two had recently met on Snapchat. The girl told officers that she was watching a movie with the man when he began kissing her. She said she did not want to kiss the man, but he continued.
The victim said she attempted to push the man away several times, but he persisted. Eventually, he was able to get her undressed and sexually assault her.
Officers made arrangements for a sexual assault examination at Portneuf Medical Center.
Chubbuck police eventually arrested 19-year-old Said Carrasco, of Pocatello, for the sexual assault.
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In November, officers were contacted by Bannock County deputy prosecuting attorney Erin Tognetti, who said the same victim had been sexually involved with another man who being held in Bannock County Jail. Tognetti told the officers the victim had been in contact with Flores while he was being held with Carrasco, the affidavit says.
A detective searched calls between jail inmates and a number of officers believed to belong to the victim. According to the affidavit, all calls between the jail and victim were made by Flores.
The detective spoke with the victim.
The victim, who told officers that she had not had sex prior to the incident involving Carrasco, said her “choices were taken from her.” Soon after, she began a relationship with Flores and admitted to having sex with him “on a few occasions,” the affidavit says.
Because Flores was an adult, and the victim was a minor, Flores was charged with rape of a minor.
While police reports do not indicate why Flores was in jail, court records show that he did spend 10 days at Bannock County Jail for petty theft.
If he is found guilty, Flores could face a life sentence.
He is scheduled to appear in court before magistrate Judge Aaron Thompson Wednesday for a preliminary hearing Wednesday.
Though Flores has been charged with this crime, it does not necessarily mean he committed it. Everyone is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.