SANDPOINT — A young Bonner County man accused of forcible rape and lewd conduct with a minor waived his right to a preliminary hearing on Wednesday, court records show.

Justin Morley’s waiver in Bonner County Magistrate Court clears the way for his arraignment on the felony charges in 1st District Court on March 9. He is free on his own recognizance while the case is pending.

Morley, 18, is accused of forcing himself on a 15-year-old girl in November and October of last year, according to a criminal complaint.

The alleged victim told Sandpoint Police Morley began touching her inside a vehicle in the Sandpoint High School parking lot and had intercourse with her despite repeatedly telling him “no” and “stop,” a probable cause affidavit said. The teen further accused Morley of forcing her to perform oral sex at Travers Park in October 2019 during a game called “dare or dare,” according to the affidavit.

The criminal complaint alleges the teen resisted during the rape, but her resistance was overcome by force or violence.

In his statement to police, Morley told officers that he had been in a sexual relationship with the alleged victim and they had intercourse a month before he was interviewed. Morley, the affidavit said, admitted that the teen asked him to stop and that he was “sorry” and willing to accept responsibility for his misconduct.

Morley was issued a criminal summons late last year. Wednesday’s preliminary hearing, unless Morley waives his right to one, will determine if there’s sufficient evidence to justify trying him on the felony offenses.

Both offenses can result in lifelong prison terms if convicted, according to Idaho Code.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.