SANDPOINT — A Hope man has plead not guilty to a statutory rape charge stemming from a mid-January allegation.  

Morgon Kenney, 39, is charged with one count of statutory rape and could face up to life in prison and a $50,000 fine. During an arraignment hearing Thursday, Kenney entered a not guilty plea for the charges via Zoom from the Bonner County Jail.  

Statutory rape refers to sexual activity in which the victim is below the legal age of consent, rendering them unable to legally provide consent. The legal age of consent in Idaho is 18.  

After District Court Judge Susie Jensen announced his trial date was scheduled for Aug. 11, Kenney requested from Zoom that his trial not have any delays or setbacks.   

“I just don’t want any further delays. I’m the one in jail, my life is put on hold,” said Kenney.  

Kenney was charged with statutory rape after Bonner County law enforcement become aware of the alleged incident by way of a 911 call from Bonner General Health Immediate Care. Court documents indicate that the victim had disclosed with hospital officials that she had non-consensual sex with an older man.  

County officials further investigated the situation, placing Kenney as the alleged aggressor. A probable cause affidavit suggests that Kenney supplied alcohol and psychedelic mushrooms to the victim before raping her at a friend's residence. Additionally, documents indicated 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.”