SANDPOINT — A Sandpoint man accused of charges related to sexual abuse entered a guilty plea on the matter, taking advantage of a plea deal that would dismiss one of the two felonies against him.  

Derek Duncan, 31, entered the guilty plea at an Oct. 13 hearing, where he pleaded guilty via Alford to one felony count of statutory rape. A second count of rape was dismissed as part of a pretrial settlement.  

Under an Alford plea, a defendant admits no wrongdoing but concedes that a guilty verdict could result following a trial. The plea is treated no differently at sentencing than a standard guilty plea.   

According to a guilty plea advisory form, the state is expected to recommend Duncan receive a unified prison sentence of 15 years.   

His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Dec. 08 at the Bonner County courthouse. 

According to an affidavit of probable cause, the alleged incident occurred July 4, 2026, after the Sandpoint Lions’ fireworks show. Documents indicate that illegal substances were provided to the victim and were in her system during the time of the alleged assault. 

The morning after the alleged abuse, Duncan reportedly asked the victim not to tell anyone about the abuse as he was serving unsupervised probation out of Kootenai County for petit theft.  

For privacy, the Daily Bee opted not to share intimate details disclosed in the incident report.  

He currently remains at the Bonner County Jail on a $100,000 bail.