Pennsylvania man charged with rape, child sexual battery involving east Idaho teen
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IDAHO FALLS — A Pennsylvania man has been charged after the family of the victim reported the sexual interaction between the two.
Brian James Samuel Mack, 28, was charged with a felony count of rape with a victim who is 16 or 17 years of age and the perpetrator is three years or older. He’s also been charged with a felony for child sexual battery.
If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.
According to court documents, a detective with the Idaho Falls Police Department was dispatched to the EconoLodge in Idaho Falls for a possible sexual abuse case.
A family member of the victim told the detective that the victim had told her she had sex with Mack, which the victim later confirmed.
Mack was taken to the Idaho Falls Police Complex and was interviewed. The detective reported that Mack kept leaving out information and changing his story.
Court records say Mack had been planning a trip to Idaho Falls to visit the victim.
Mack alleged that he and the victim had been “dating” through social media for the past couple of months, but had broken up numerous times and were no longer together.
The man later told the detective they were still together and decided to come to Idaho.
The man was questioned about the victim staying at the hotel. Mack initially denied that she had stayed the night, but later admitted it happened.
Mack said the victim had told him she was 16 but later said she was 17. Mack reported that he was 19, and later told his real age when questioned on his date of birth.
The detective asked why he lied about his age, and Mack said the victim and her family member told him to say he was 19.
Mack said the two had been at the pool and had sex one time, but police found evidence in the man’s room suggesting otherwise.
Mack is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing before Magistrate Judge Mark Rammell or Brendon Taylor on June 17 at 1 p.m.
Though Mack has been charged with these crimes, it does not necessarily mean he committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty.