Lewiston man charged in alleged rape and theft

A Lewiston man was charged with three felonies after allegedly raping a woman and then stealing from her.

Cordell C.W. Deeds, 26, made his initial appearance by Zoom on Tuesday before Magistrate Judge Sunil Ramalingam at the Nez Perce County Courthouse. He was charged with rape, robbery and burglary and his bond was set at $75,000.

The penalty for rape is a minimum of one year and a maximum of life in prison as well as a $50,000 fine; the minimum for robbery is five years in prison and a maximum of life in prison as well as a $50,000 fine. The maximum penalty for burglary is 10 years in prison as well as a $50,000 fine.

Lewiston police responded to a report of assault and robbery at 10:10 a.m. Jan. 11 on the 600 block of Fifth Street. When officers arrived the alleged victim was allegedly on the phone with Deeds telling him to bring her belongings back and he allegedly denied he stole anything, but hung up when he was told police were there, according to the probable cause affidavit.

The alleged victim then told police that she took Ambien to help her sleep at 1 a.m. and woke up to the sound of someone banging on her door. She answered the door and saw Deeds, who had allegedly made previous unwanted sexual advances toward her. She alleged that he appeared to be under the influence or high and needed help because his feet were injured, so she let him inside, according to the affidavit.

When Deeds was in the home he allegedly had a handgun that he waved around, then went into the bathroom and came out with no pants and a towel wrapped around his waist. He allegedly grabbed the victim and took her to the bedroom and had sex with her against her will. After the incident he allegedly stole a cellphone and a Pokemon card collection, and he attempted to take a TV, according to the affidavit.

An arrest warrant was issued Jan. 26 for Deeds, according to court documents.

Deeds was arrested by the Clarkston Police Department Saturday near the Nom Nom at 1227 Bridge St. Deeds was found in the passenger seat of a vehicle and was told to exit the vehicle because of a warrant. He allegedly resisted arrest and ran away but was taken to the ground by the officer and placed in handcuffs. Officers also allegedly found drug paraphernalia in the passenger seat. He was given a criminal citation for possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest, according to a report from the Clarkston Police Department.

His next court date is Feb. 5 and Rick Cuddihy was appointed as public defender.