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PRESTON, Idaho — A Weber County man has been charged with two felonies following a 2020 incident at an Idaho ranch.
Hunter Barrow, 22, of Farr West, has been charged with lewd conduct with a minor under 16 and sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 16, court records show.
The Franklin County Sheriff's Office received a report on March 3 alleging the sexual abuse involving a child, according to an affidavit of probable cause. The caller said the alleged attack occurred on a ranch near Idaho Highway 34 and involved a 15-year-old girl and Barrow, a then-20-year-old man, the affidavit states.
The alleged attack occurred in July 2020, according to court documents.
The caller told deputies Barrow and another man encouraged the girl to drink alcohol, the affidavit states. The other man, according to the affidavit, also encouraged the victim to have sex with Barrow.
When deputies spoke with the victim, she confirmed the second man, a 50-year-old relative of Barrow, encouraged the two to have sex, according to court documents. She told deputies the comments made by the older man made her feel uncomfortable, police say.
After drinking alcohol, the victim said she and Barrow began kissing and eventually went to a bedroom in the home, the affidavit states. She said he made sexual contact with her before forcing her to make sexual contact with him, according to police. But the two were interrupted by another person who was at the ranch, the court documents say.
Deputies spoke with the witness who interrupted the two, the affidavit states. The witness said she saw the girl sitting on the man's lap, topless, so she tapped on the window "to get them to stop," the affidavit says.
The victim told deputies that, after being stopped, she went to a camper on the property to sleep, according to court documents. But she was woken up by Barrow, who allegedly told her he wanted to "finish what we started," police said. She refused his offer, and Barrow left the camper, according to court documents.
The following morning, the victim said the man who encouraged the actions told her not to tell anyone about what occurred, the affidavit states.
When she returned home, the victim told a family member about what happened, court documents say. Her family member messaged Barrow, who allegedly confirmed the victim's account, police say.
The victim also messaged Barrow, according to the affidavit. He allegedly told her that no one knew "what really took place" and that the two should keep it to themselves, police say.
Deputies took screenshots of both conversations.
One of several people who were present on the evening in question told deputies that the older man told the others that the issue would be handled "in-house," the affidavit says. It doesn't appear the older man has been charged for his role in the incident, according to court documents.
Barrow was arrested in May. He posted a $20,000 bond in June and was released.
If he is found guilty, Barrow could face up to life in prison.
After his preliminary hearing was waiver, Barrow was scheduled to be arraigned in District Court on Sept. 14
