Idaho Falls man arrested for alleged statutory rape of 16-year-old

IDAHO FALLS — A 20-year-old Idaho Falls man was arrested after reportedly raping a 16-year-old girl.

Kooper James Anderson is charged with felony rape of a victim who is 16 or 17 years old.

According to court documents, an Idaho Falls police detective was assigned to investigate a case after relatives of the 16-year-old victim reported she had been raped.

One of the relatives claimed on Jan. 7, they discovered Anderson in the room with the victim, hiding in her closet.

Anderson reportedly told the relative his name was “Corbin.”

On Jan. 9, another relative took the victim’s phone and viewed her text messages. They learned Anderson’s real identity and that he was 20 years old. The relative then called the police and gave them the cell phone.

According to police, the messages showed Anderson and the victim were “involved in an inappropriate relationship.”

Messages that were especially concerning to police included Anderson telling the victim, “Change my name to Corbin real quick,” and “If you tell them, my life is ruined.”

Anderson also allegedly asked the victim, “Will you be my gf (girlfriend).”

Police say there were also multiple messages from Anderson telling the victim to delete all of their texts.

On Jan. 10, Anderson met with the detective for an interview. Police reports say Anderson admitted to being in a sexual relationship with the victim between August 2023 and January 2024.

Anderson reportedly gave detectives his phone, where they found evidence of a sexual relationship.

On Jan. 11, the victim participated in a forensic interview, where she corroborated that the two had engaged in sexual relations multiple times.

A warrant was issued for Anderson’s arrest on April 1, and he was booked into the Bonneville County Jail on April 8.

He is expected to appear for a preliminary hearing on April 19. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison.

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