Kalispell man pleads not guilty to rape charge

A Kalispell man accused of a 2019 rape pleaded not guilty to sexual intercourse without consent in Flathead County District Court on Wednesday.

Fabian Alexander Calderon, 23, appeared before Judge Robert Allison for his April 13 arraignment on the single felony charge. Prosecutors alleged that Calderon forced himself on an intoxicated woman in the backseat of a vehicle overnight May 4 and 5, 2019.

According to court documents, the victim, who was 17 at the time, contacted Kalispell Police officers a few days after the attack. She told detectives that she was driving with several men, including Calderon, from a bonfire to a local apartment complex when he grabbed her for a kiss, biting her lip.

The victim told investigators that she pushed him back, but he continued to make advances undeterred.

Upon arrival at the complex, the victim headed to her vehicle and sat in the backseat. Calderon allegedly followed and, after getting into the vehicle with her, held her down. Though she struggled and told him to stop, he raped her, court documents said.

The victim also suffered a bite on her nipple, which drew blood, and bruises on her chest and shoulder, court documents said.

Calderon faces a life sentence and a $50,000 fine if convicted. An omnibus hearing is set for June 8 with a pretrial conference to follow on June 22.

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or dperkins@dailyinterlake.com.