Trial ordered in rape case

SANDPOINT — A southern Bonner County man is being ordered to stand trial for repeatedly raping a guest at his home last year.

Micheal Ryan Wimpee Jr. was bound over to 1st District Court following a preliminary hearing in Bonner County Magistrate Court on Feb. 27, court records show. Judge Justin Julian found there was sufficient cause to try Wimpee after the alleged victim, 25, recounted the incident during the hearing.

The Post Falls woman told V to Wimpee’s home to visit in March 2018, where Wimpee served alcohol to her and his wife.

However, after the second drink, the woman said she began to feel off kilter and sick, according to a probable cause affidavit.

The woman subsequently became ill and vomited, which prompted Wimpee’s wife to help her into a bed which the two shared fully clothed. She told investigators Wimpee’s wife left the room to tend to a crying child and Wimpee made advances which she rejected, but added she was experiencing a loss of coordination that effectively paralyzed her. Wimpee is accused of raping multiple times and choking her at one point in the assault, court records indicate.

A criminal complaint alleges the woman’s efforts to stop the assault were overcome by force or she was unable to resist due to an intoxicating substance.

Wimpee, also known as Junior, declined to be interviewed by investigators and invoked his right to remain silent during the preliminary hearing, according to court documents.

Wimpee, 36, is scheduled to be arraigned in district court on March 26. He is free on a $25,000 surety bond while the case is pending.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.