Pocatello man charged with forcible rape in 2 counties

POCATELLO — A man police say raped a local woman twice was later found to be in Ada County Jail custody, held on a seperate, unrelated rape charge.

Matthew Bernard Karol, 33, has been charged in Bannock County with rape when resistance is futile and rape by force or threat of force, court records show. He has also been charged with rape in Ada County and will complete the legal process in Boise following a trial and sentencing in Pocatello.

A woman came to the Pocatello Police Department on March 16 to report she had been raped twice by Karol, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

The woman told police she had been with Karol earlier the night of the first incident and he had been drinking. She said she fell asleep in her bed, then woke up to Karol undressing her before he raped her. Karol allegedly said he was on testosterone and couldn’t help himself, during the attack.

She said the incident lasted about 20 seconds, then Karol put his clothes back on and left, according to the affidavit.

After the attack, the victim told officers she had a panic attack, requiring medication.

Asked if she resisted, the victim told officers, due to a significant size difference, she knew she wouldn’t be able to stop him. But, she added, she did tell Karol to stop.

The victim then showed officers a text message she received the following day from Karol in which he apologized for the attack and the panic attack.

Then, several days later, the victim said Karol raped her again, this time while she was awake. She said Karol forced himself on her. She tried to push him away, but said he laughed and leaned more of his weight onto her.

Twenty seconds later, she said, Karol finished and left.

The victim told the officers the attacks made her feel dirty and upset — unable to protect herself.

Officers later discovered Karol had been arrested and charged with rape in Ada County and was being held for the charge at the Ada County Jail. Pocatello officers sent a warrant for his arrest to the Ada County Sheriff’s Office.

After appearing in Ada County court and pleading not guilty to that charge, Karol was scheduled for a May 7 trial in Boise then transferred to Bannock County for holding and an initial court appearance.

He has since pleaded not guilty and been scheduled for a March 12 trial in Bannock County before District Judge Robert Naftz.

Though Karol has been charged with these crimes, it does not necessarily mean he committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.

If he is found guilty, Karol could face up to life in prison.