St. Maries man pleads guilty to rape, faces other charges

COEUR d’ALENE — A St. Maries man who pleaded guilty to raping a teenage girl now faces additional charges for allegedly raping another girl.

Jonathan R. Cummins, 22, pleaded guilty last week in a Kootenai County court to rape, a felony punishable by up to life in prison.

The charges date back to July, when a 16-year-old girl reported to police that Cummins had raped her after providing her with alcohol. Witnesses told police they came upon an undressed Cummins in the teen’s bedroom and, upon learning he was 22, told him to leave.

In exchange for Cummins’ guilty plea, prosecutors agreed to dismiss the charge of sexual battery of a minor and recommended that the court retain jurisdiction over Cummins when it is time for him to be sentenced.

If the court retains jurisdiction over Cummins, he would enter a prison treatment program, called a rider, for up to a year before the judge decides whether to place him on probation or send him back to prison.

In Benewah County, in a separate case, Cummins faces two counts of rape, as well as sexual abuse of a child under 16, enticing children over the Internet and administering drug crime, all misdemeanors. He is also charged with dispensation to minors, a misdemeanor.

As police investigated the Kootenai County case, another 16-year-old girl reported that Cummins “had sex with her” twice in June, after providing her with alcohol and then that she was “extremely intoxicated,” according to court records. .

In Idaho, a person aged 16 or 17 cannot consent to sex with someone more than three years older.

The teen told police that Cummins told him he loved her and wanted to have a relationship with her. She said she didn’t want to date Cummins, but he pressured her several times, making her uncomfortable.

She also said Cummins purchased alcohol and vape pens for minors in Benewah County and attempted to initiate sexual relationships with other minors. In July, police received a report that Cummins had contacted a 13-year-old girl on the messaging app Snapchat and attempted to solicit her to participate in a sexual act, according to court records.

Questioned by police after his arrest in Kootenai County, Cummins allegedly admitted to giving the Benewah County teen alcohol and “having sex with her” on two occasions.

In an affidavit filed with the court, a Benewah County sheriff’s deputy who interviewed Cummins said Cummins “exhibited behaviors consistent with grooming children to obtain favors for sexual acts” and misappropriated the responsibility for his actions.

Cummins is scheduled to be sentenced in Kootenai County in December.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence or sexual abuse, contact Safe Passage 24/7 by calling 208-664-9303 or texting 208-449-7228.