COEUR d’ALENE — A man who pleaded guilty to raping a teen girl received a suspended prison sentence this week. 

Christian J. Mosher, 26, pleaded guilty in April to rape, a felony punishable by up to life in prison. 

First District Judge Barbara Duggan sentenced Mosher on Tuesday to 20 years in prison with parole eligibility after eight years. 

Duggan then suspended the prison sentence and ordered Mosher to remain in jail until Aug. 21, after which he will be released to undergo sex offender treatment. The judge also placed Mosher on probation for five years and entered a 20-year no contact order forbidding Mosher from contacting the victim in the case. 

The charges stem from January of this year, when police received a report that Mosher had raped a 17-year-old girl in October of 2024. After the teen disclosed Mosher’s actions to a friend, the teen’s family contacted police, according to court records. 

When interviewed by police, Mosher admitted to having “sexual intercourse” with the teen. In Idaho, a person aged 16 or 17 cannot consent to sex with a person more than three years older. 

Prosecutors charged Mosher in February with sexual battery of a minor and with rape. In exchange for Mosher’s guilty plea to the crime of rape, prosecutors agreed to dismiss the sexual battery charge. 

Before handing down the sentence, Duggan said the case was a difficult one. She noted that Mosher had no previous criminal history and that a psychosexual evaluation assessed him as having a “moderate to low” risk of reoffending. 

Duggan emphasized that some measure of punishment is necessary due to the seriousness of the offense. 

“You knew it was wrong,” she said. 

She told Mosher that she believed he had the ability to change and never commit another crime such as this one. 

“If I thought you would, I would send you to prison for 20 years,” she said. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual abuse, reach Safe Passage 24/7 by calling 208-664-9303 or texting 208-449-7228.