Marti faces two counts of rape, accepts plea deal

BONNERS FERRY — Eric Marti, 27, pleaded guilty to two charges of statutory rape on June 4 under a plea deal.

The case was presided over by first district judicial officer Barbara Buchanan.

Initially, Marti waived his preliminary hearing on Jan. 15, and on Feb. 3, he pleaded not guilty at his arraignment hearing.

Boundary County Detective Caleb Watts filed a criminal complaint on Dec. 8, which alleges two counts of statutory rape against Marti, then 26.

According to court records, the first count stems from an encounter that happened between March and October. The second count alleges another encounter on Halloween, Oct. 31.

The plea agreement was reached just 10 days before Marti’s trial was set to start. However, his attorney Linda Payne was in talks with the prosecutor about negotiating a plea deal as early as February, according to court documents.

Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Tevis Hull agreed to Marti pleading guilty to both counts of statutory rape. The state will not add additional charges relating to the victim and agrees not to file kidnapping charges.

In the guilty plea, Marti acknowledges that he must register as a sex offender, submit DNA samples and thumbprint impressions for the state of Idaho.

Marti will also lose his right to possess a firearm, vote and run for public office. He also faces the potential for a persistent violator charge if there are any future charges.

The court extended a no-contact order for the victim.

Marti faces a maximum sentence of life and $50,000 in fines; he may serve both charges concurrently or consecutively.

Rape is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison not less than 1 year, and the imprisonment may be extended to life at the discretion of the district judge.

Marti will face sentencing on Sept. 1 with Buchanan presiding over the case.