Rathdrum man faces rape charges

By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

RATHDRUM — A 28-year-old Rathdrum man was arrested Wednesday morning for rape, lewd conduct with a minor under 16 and enticing a child through the use of a cellphone.

Sean S. Roland was arrested by Rathdrum Police officers without incident at his home.

Rathdrum police Sgt. Brandon Friis said the alleged victim is a 14-year-old girl.

"The (alleged crimes) were reported by the victim," Friis said.

Friis declined to discuss specifics on how Roland was found or how a detective found probable cause to arrest Roland.

"It was good police work," Friis said. "The detective's investigation led us to where he was found."

Friis said the case was not a sting operation.

The alleged incident occurred in the recent past, but Friis declined to be more specific.

"Evidence is still being processed," he said.

Roland was arrested on one count of each charge. Friis said he doesn't believe more charges will be forthcoming.

Friis declined to say whether the alleged victim knew Roland until recently.

A police report on the case was not available on Wednesday afternoon because it had not been completed.

Roland was booked in the Kootenai County Jail seven previous times as an adult, including for charges of burglary, probation violation and battery.