Friday, March 1, 2013

Student charged with 2nd rape count

Crime allegedly occurred while defendant was free on bond


By TERRY SMITH
Express Staff Writer

Mark Allen Karlovich

An 18-year-old high school senior has been charged with a second count of rape for allegedly having sex with a 14-year-old girl while he was free on bond from an earlier rape charge.

Mark Allen Karlovich was arraigned on the second charge Monday in Blaine County 5th District Court. He pleaded not guilty and was advised by Judge Robert Elgee that the crime is punishable by up to life in prison.

A jury trial was scheduled for May 14. Karlovich remains incarcerated in the Blaine County jail on $250,000 bond.

The rape allegedly occurred at the 14-year-old girl’s home in Hailey early on the morning of Dec. 29. At that time, Karlovich was free on $3,000 bail from an earlier rape case against him involving a different 14-year-old girl.

Karlovich was previously enrolled as a senior at Wood River High School. His current enrollment status is not clear because the Blaine County School District does not release information on student disciplinary or expulsion matters.

Hailey police allege that the first rape occurred at Karlovich’s home on Queen of the Hills Drive in west Hailey on the morning of Oct. 10. A probable-cause affidavit filed by Hailey Patrolman Raul Ornelas, who also serves as the Wood River High School resource officer, states that the girl claimed that Karlovich forced her into his home and forced her to have sex.

Karlovich pleaded not guilty to the charge in the first case at district court arraignment in December. A jury trial in that case is scheduled to begin April 3.

Ornelas also investigated the second case against Karlovich. In a separate probable-cause affidavit, Ornelas wrote that he started an investigation after the second girl’s father reported the alleged rape on Jan. 7.

Ornelas wrote in his report that Karlovich came to the girl’s home at the invitation of a 13-year-old girl who was staying at the 14-year-old girl’s home over the Christmas holidays. While the 13-year-old girl was asleep, Karlovich allegedly had sex with the 14-year-old girl.

Ornelas wrote that the alleged victim told him she cooperated with Karlovich because she was afraid he might hurt her.

Under Idaho law, consent is not relevant in a rape case if the victim is under 16.

Karlovich is represented in both cases by Hailey attorney Douglas Nelson.

Terry Smith: tsmith@mtexpress.com




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