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Man Denies Raping Two Columbia Falls Teens Richard William Alexander Becker is accused of raping two teenage girls in 2014
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BY JUSTIN FRANZ OF THE BEACON
A 22-year-old Columbia Falls man pleaded not guilty last week to charges that he raped two teenaged girls on sepa- rate occasions in 2014.
Richard William Alexander Becker appeared for an arraignment in Flat- head County District Court on Jan. 28. He entered not guilty pleas to two fel- ony counts of sexual intercourse with- out 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.
BRIEFS
Flathead County Man Accused of Raping a Second Minor
A 32-year-old man has denied having sexual intercourse with a 10-year-old girl in 2014.
Noah Lavern Powell pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of sexual intercourse without consent at an arraignment hear- ing in Flathead County District Court on Jan. 28. This is the second time Powell has been accused of raping a teenager in the last year.
According to court records, the Kalis- pell Police Department received a report of an assault in June 2015. During a forensic interview, the girl told authori- ties that Powell had allegedly touched her inappropriately on multiple occasions the previous year. The girl also said that Powell allegedly told her “don’t tell any- body what I’m going to do to you” prior to assaulting her.
The report came the same month that Powell was charged with sexual inter- course without consent following an inci- dent with a 13-year-old girl in late 2014. Powell pleaded not guilty in that case and he is expected to go to trial on both charges later this year.
If convicted in either case, Powell could face up to 100 years in prison.
Kalispell Man Given Suspended Prison Sentence for Assaulting Girlfriend
A Kalispell man was given an eight- year suspended sentence to the Mon- tana State Prison, less than a year after he beat his girlfriend for unplugging the video game he was playing.
Charles George Burkett appeared at
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 remov- ing 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 Flat- head County Sheri ’s O ce 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
his sentencing hearing on Jan. 28 in Flat- head County District Court.
According to court documents, the Kalispell Police Department received a report of an assault on June 10, 2015. When the o cers arrived at the home on Triple Creek Drive, they found a woman outside upset and crying. The woman told police that she and Burkett had been arguing earlier that day that she told him to leave the house. She then unplugged the television on which Burkett was play- ing video games.
Burkett allegedly threatened to put her head through the television before jumping over a chair and throwing her to the oor. The woman then said Burkett wrapped his arm around her neck and pinned her against the wall while yelling “do you remember this?” The woman said Burkett was likely referring to a previous incident where he allegedly strangled her and caused her to lose consciousness.
The woman told police that as Burkett strangled her “everything went black.” She also told police that she had become incontinent during the incident and had lost control of her bladder.
The woman said that Burkett stopped strangling her when her son walked into the hallway. The woman tried to nd her phone and call police but Burkett allegedly grabbed it and threw it against a wall in an attempt to smash it. The woman grabbed the phone, which still worked, and her four children and ran outside.
The o cer went inside the home where the found Burkett but he declined to speak with law enforcement without an attorney present.
In June 2015, Burkett was charged
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 o her shirt and then shoved her and removed her pants. The girl said she was initially in shock but then tried to ght 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 ne. He is set to go to trial in May.
jfranz@ atheadbeacon.com
with felony criminal endangerment, fel- ony partner or family member assault and misdemeanor attempt of criminal destruction or tampering with a commu- nication device. He pleaded not guilty to all three counts.
According to court documents, Bur- kett was previously convicted of two counts of partner or family member assault in 2005. In that case, he was given a one-year suspended sentence to the Flathead County Detention Center with credit for time served. During the Jan. 28 sentencing hearing, Judge Robert Alli- son noted that Burkett had prior felony assault convictions in Washington State.
In September 2014, attorneys forged a plea agreement where Burkett would plead guilty to a charge of felony criminal endangerment in exchange for the other two charges being dropped. Both prose- cutors and the defense agreed to recom- mend a three-year suspended sentence. During the hearing, Deputy County Attorney Travis Ahner noted that the vic- tim in the case, who is still with Burkett, did not cooperate with prosecutors.
Noting Burkett’s lengthy criminal record, which also included a previous DUI conviction, Judge Allison rejected the recommendation and sentenced the man to eight years with the Montana State Prison with all time suspended.
“I’m giving you a chance to make something of your life instead of being an assaultive, drunk criminal,” Allison said. “If you slip up once – if you get another DUI or slap your girlfriend around again – you’re going to Deer Lodge for a long time.”
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FEBRUARY 3, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM
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