HOPE — A 39-year-old man from Hope was arrested April 7 for a rape charge relating to a mid-January allegation.  

Morgon Kenney, 39, was charged with one count of rape against a minor under 16, to-wit of 15, and is being held at Bonner County Jail on a $100,000 bond.  

Kenney will be expected to make an appearance in court April 30 for a preliminary hearing.  

A preliminary hearing is a court proceeding to determine if there’s sufficient evidence to move forward with the case. The hearing can provide the defendant with a brief preview of the prosecution’s case.  

Bonner County law enforcement became aware of the incident by way of a 911 call from Bonner General Health Immediate Care. According to a probable cause affidavit, the victim disclosed to urgent care officials that she had non-consensual sex with an older man.  

Upon investigation, county officials were led to believe Kenney was the older man. Court documents indicate that Kenney dispensed alcohol and psychedelic mushrooms to the victim before raping her. Documents also indicate that marijuana was provided after the rape.  

A probable cause affidavit shares that the victim reported to county deputies that she “couldn’t have given consent to Kenney because she wasn’t in the right mindset to say yes or no, because she was under the influence.”  

A verified witness to a conversation between Kenney and the victim shared with deputies that Kenney asked the victim if she told anyone about the incident, to which he allegedly replied, “cause I’m a little scared, I might go to prison for it, and I’m scared.”  

If convicted of the charge, Kenney could face up to life in prison.