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Man Denies Raping Two Columbia Falls Teenagers

Richard William Alexander Becker is accused of raping two teenage girls in 2014

By Justin Franz

A 22-year-old Columbia Falls man pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges that he raped two teenaged girls on separate occasions in 2014.

Richard William Alexander Becker appeared for an arraignment in Flathead County District Court on Jan. 28. He entered not guilty pleas to two felony counts of sexual intercourse without consent.

According to court documents, the Columbia Falls Police Department received a report on Sept. 3, 2014 that Becker had sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl. During a forensic interview, the girl told police that she had gone to a party at Becker’s house in July or August with a friend.

At one point during the party, the girl said she went to the bathroom and Becker followed her in, according to charging records. Once inside the bathroom, Becker started kissing her and removing her clothes. Becker then made the girl perform oral sex on him, according to charging documents. After removing her clothes, Becker allegedly had sex with the girl in the bathroom.

During a later interview with a Flathead County Sheriff’s Office detective, records state that Becker acknowledged he knew the girl was 15 years old. He also told the detective that he went into the bathroom with the girl and, after some initial hesitation, admitted that they had sex together.

The detective also asked Becker about the 15-year-old girl’s friend. Becker admitted to having sex with the other girl when she turned 16.

Five months later, law enforcement conducted a forensic interview with the 16-year-old girl who told them that on her previous birthday in June 2014 she had gone to Becker’s house. The girl told police that Becker took off her shirt and then shoved her and removed her pants. The girl said she was initially in shock but then tried to fight back and tell Becker to stop. Becker allegedly persisted and then had sex with the 16-year-old against her will.

Becker was charged with two counts of sexual intercourse without consent on Aug. 28, 2015. If convicted, Becker could face life in prison and a $50,000 fine. He is set to go to trial in May.