A Kalispell man is accused of rape after the alleged victim came forward to report the incident more than a year later.

According to court documents, Luke Elliot Rutledge, 23, of Kalispell, is facing one felony count of sexual intercourse without consent. He is facing a maximum 20 years in the Montana State Prison.

According to court filings, a 20-year-old woman reported she was home alone on the night of April 5, 2019, and chatting with Rutledge, a family friend. Rutledge agreed to come to her residence and keep her company. He showed up sometime between 10:30 and 11 p.m.

The woman said she and Rutledge chatted for a couple of hours, but she became tired and told him he should probably leave. She went to her downstairs bedroom to go to sleep.

A short while later, she said she woke up with Rutledge in her bed and his fingers were inside her vagina. The woman said she froze and didn’t say anything. Rutledge allegedly left the residence at about 5:30 a.m. April 6.

The woman said she texted Rutledge and “was devastated by what he did. Rutledge allegedly admitted to her he “made a choice that was wrong.”

The woman said she didn’t report the incident sooner because she was depressed and having suicidal thoughts.

She reported the incident to the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office Aug. 8, 2019.

Rutledge was released on his own recognizance. He is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges at 9 a.m. Thursday, May 7.

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 406-758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.