Man faces six felonies in sex assault case

A 55-year-old man was charged with six felonies in a sexual assault case in which he allegedly coerced a woman.

Jerry Huddleston appeared Tuesday before Nez Perce County Magistrate Judge Gregory Kalbfleisch on charges of rape, two counts of forcible penetration by use of a foreign object, video voyeurism, grand theft and intimidating a witness.

A deputy from the county sheriff’s Office responded Nov. 30 to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center for a report of a rape. The woman told the deputy that Huddleston had contacted her earlier in the day and she told him to leave her alone. Later she discovered that her wallet was missing and contacted Huddleston to have him return it. He allegedly told her to meet him near Clearwater River Casino. They met near the Spalding Bridge, according to the probable cause affidavit.

The woman said Huddleston allegedly refused to return the wallet unless she dropped harassment charges, and then he allegedly told her she would get her wallet back if she had sex with him. She told Huddleston that the wallet had “everything in it” and it would be difficult to replace the items in it, and he replied, “I know,” according to the affidavit.

The woman began looking for her wallet and Huddleston allegedly sexually assaulted her twice and then returned her wallet. The woman then went to a hospital and had a sexual assault kit made, according to the affidavit.

On Dec. 4, Huddleston allegedly came to the woman’s residence and she called 911. Huddleston was later brought to the jail and was charged with rape and two counts of forcible penetration, because the alleged sexual assault took place by coercing the victim to perform the acts. He was also charged for allegedly taking the wallet, trying to get the woman to drop other charges and sending a nude photo of the victim to another person, according to the affidavit.

The maximum penalty for rape and sexual penetration is life in prison and a $50,000 fine; the maximum penalty for grand theft is 14 years and a $5,000 fine; the maximum penalty for intimidating a witness and video voyeurism is five years and a $5,000 fine, according to court documents.

Huddleston is being held on a $100,000 bond. Rick Cuddihy was appointed public defender and his next court date is Dec. 11, according to court documents.