Man sentenced for rape

COEUR d’ALENE — A man will spend up to 20 years in prison for raping a teen girl.

Maxim C. Lyreman, 20, of Coeur d’Alene, pleaded guilty to rape, a felony.

The charge stems from 2019, when a 14-year-old girl reported to police that Lyreman had raped her.

First District Judge John Mitchell sentenced Lyreman this week to 20 years in prison, with six years fixed and 14 suspended, as well as credit for time served.

In accordance with a plea agreement signed by the state and defense, Mitchell retained jurisdiction in the case.

That means Lyreman will spend up to a year in a prison treatment program, called a rider, before Mitchell decides to either place him on probation or send him back to prison to serve out the remainder of his sentence.

Prosecutors said they agreed to recommend a rider in part because of Lyreman’s age and lack of previous criminal history.

Mitchell said Lyreman will have to work hard to prove he should be released on probation.

“You did an absolutely horrible thing,” he said to Lyreman in court. “You can’t claim this person consented, because she was 14. You raped her.”

Lyreman reportedly invited the 14-year-old girl to his Coeur d’Alene residence in November 2019 — a group home where he lived with several other people and was supervised by staff. He was 19 at the time of the event.

An employee later confirmed to police that the girl visited the residence and spent time in Lyreman’s bedroom. He said he believed sexual activity occurred in the bedroom, according to court documents.

When staff asked about the girl’s age, Lyreman reportedly said she was 18.

The girl said she tried to push Lyreman away when he kissed her while the pair were alone in his bedroom.

She told police Lyreman groped her, removed her clothes and raped her.

Idaho Code defines rape, in part, as penetration where the victim is under the age of 16, the perpetrator is 18 or older and the two are not lawfully married.

After the assault, the girl walked home.

She disclosed the rape to a parent that night.

Police said physical evidence collected at the hospital matched a DNA sample provided by Lyreman.

Prosecutors said they did not file charges against Lyreman until June 2021 because of a delay in DNA testing results, as well as out of consideration for the girl’s mental health.

Lyreman has been in custody since his arrest in June.

He is required to undergo sex offender treatment while incarcerated.