Alleged rapist pleads innocent to felony charge

The Daily Inter Lake

An Evergreen-area man has pleaded innocent to the forcible rape of a 16-year-old girl.

Gaylon Mark Owens, 20, entered a not-guilty plea to one count of sexual intercourse without consent, a felony, during his arraignment Thursday in Flathead County District Court.

According to court documents, Owens invited his alleged victim - whom he reportedly had known for five or six months - to his home in February 2008.

Prosecutors allege that after telling the girl he had something to show her in his room, Owens pushed her onto his bed, removed her clothing and then forcibly raped her.

Owens allegedly threatened the girl and, after repeated attacks during which the girl said "no" at least once, drove her home, according to court documents.

If convicted, Owens, who has been released from jail, could face up to 100 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.