A Flathead County man is accused of drugging and raping a woman in Evergreen in July.
Damien Carey Dinelli pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual intercourse without consent in Flathead County District Court on Aug. 20.
According to court documents, Dinelli had an extensive history with the victim and in the past had expressed interest in having a sexual relationship with her even though she rejected his advances. Dinelli was with the victim on July 26 when they went to a Kalispell grocery store where they purchased a sport drink. The woman had Dinelli hold the drink while she went to the bathroom and then took it back when she returned.
The victim reported that she felt ill soon after taking the drink back and the next thing she remembers was waking up naked in an abandoned trailer. The woman went to Kalispell Regional Medical Center where nurses found evidence of sexual assault on her body.
This is not the first time Dinelli has been accused of assault. According to court records, Dinelli is a convicted sexual offender in Washington and is awaiting sentencing there. If convicted, Dinelli could face up to 100 years in prison and a fine of $50,000.