SCSO seeking information from the public

PRICHARD — The Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating two reported sexual assault cases that occurred last weekend.

SCSO Lt. Jeff Lee tells the News-Press that the first incident occurred on the night of Aug. 15 outside the Prichard Tavern in Prichard.

The suspect, described as a 20-30-year-old white male, between 5-foot-10 and 6-foot-2 in height, with facial hair and of medium build, was seen dancing with the female victim that evening. Between 11 and 11:30 p.m. was when law enforcement believes the male suspect forced the victim to a dark area between the establishment and neighboring home and raped her.

Pictures and videos taken by patrons placed the suspect being at the tavern as early as 7 p.m. that day and he was believed to have been a part of a larger group.

Thanks in large part to community assistance, SCSO Deputy Dameon Groves has since made contact with the suspect in this case and charges are in the process of being filed with the Prosecutor’s Office.

The second incident reportedly occurred the following day on the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River itself.

According to SCSO, the female victim in this case was floating the river with friends from Bumblebee Bridge to Albert’s Landing. In the midst of the float, the victim, who was in her own tube, floated ahead of her group, who’s tubes were tied together.

Far ahead of them, the victim ended up joining up with another group of four white males, all wearing swim trunks (one American flag style) and using blue and white tubes.

It was on a sand berm in the middle of the North Fork, not far from Albert’s Landing, that the four men sexually assaulted her. It is believed that the men left the river near that location and walked back to Bumblebee to recover their vehicle.

SCSO is asking for anyone who was floating the river that day and may have seen something to contact deputy Groves by calling 208-556-1114 or emailing him at dgroves@shoshoneso.com.

Anyone who may have seen the incident at the Prichard Tavern Saturday night, or took video/pictures of the band, is also encouraged to reach out.

At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that the two incidents are connected.

Both of these incidents are still under investigation and more information will be released if and when it becomes available.