Pocatello man charged with statutory rape after allegedly impregnating teen

Taisen Joe Lopez-Scharer | Bannock County Jail POCATELLO — A 19-year-old man was charged Wednesday after he allegedly impregnanted a minor. Taisen Joe Lopez-Scharer is charged with four counts of felony statutory rape. On Tuesday around 3:20 p.m., a woman contacted the Pocatello Police Department to report that a man identified as Lopez-Sharer had just tried to kick down the front door to their home in order to get in, according to police reports. According to the woman, a 16-year-old in her home was pregnant and having a miscarriage, and Lopez-Sharer was the father of the baby. Lopez-Sharer was reportedly trying to get inside the house, but the 16-year-old did not want to see him. After investigating the circumstances, police discovered the baby was conceived on July 11 or 12. Officers located Lopez-Sharer in the 1700 block of West Quinn Road and took him to the Pocatello Police Department to be interviewed. During the interview, Lopez-Sharer reportedly admitted to having sexual intercourse with the 16-year-old on at least four occasions, including on July 11. Lopez-Sharer allegedly told deputies he knew the girl was 16 years old and pregnant and continued having sex with her. Lopez-Sharer was arrested and booked into the Bannock County Jail on a $25,000 bond. He is expected to appear for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 2. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison. Though Lopez-Sharer has been charged with these crimes, it does not necessarily mean he committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.The post Pocatello man charged with statutory rape after allegedly impregnating teen appeared first on East Idaho News.
Source: eastidahonews.com