Judge rejects rapist's plea

A guilty plea arranged for an alleged child rapist has been denied.

Judge Patrick Luster said the deal made between Boundary County Prosecutor’s office and suspect Gary Lies was not acceptable to the court.

According to court records, Lies, 35, of Moyie Springs on Aug. 30 had sexual relations with a 13-year-old girl.  Lies was turned in by the victim’s family on Sept. 1.  Lies fled the state when he was identified by police and was  arrested in Albany, Ore., on Nov. 9.  He was charged with indecent acts with a child.

In the deal that the court denied, Lies charge would have been amended to assault.  He would have received six months at the North Idaho Correctional Institution in Cottonwood and  a suspended 10 year prison sentence, which means only if he was violates terms of probation  he will do 10 years in prison.   It was also recommended Lies register as a sex offender.

More time was granted to Lies for his attorney, Serra Woods, and prosecutor, Jack Douglas, to  come up with a plea that would be acceptable to the court.  Lies also has the option to withdraw his guilty plea and go to trial.

Sentencing was delayed Tuesday and a status hearing is set for 11 a.m. on March 24.