SEELEY LAKE – On Feb. 28, Judge Gregory Pinski sentenced Seeley Lake resident Justin Cahoon, 22, to 20 years with 15 years suspended after he plead guilty to sexual intercourse without consent with a 14-year-old child on or about Sept. 13, 2017.
On Sept. 14, 2017 Missoula County Sheriff’s Deputy Sergeant Robert Parcell received a report from a female in Seeley Lake. The female said she viewed a video of sexual nature on Snapchat including 20-year-old Cahoon and a 14-year-old girl.
When Parcell questioned Cahoon, he denied the allegations and stated he knew he was not to be associating with the 14-year-old due to her age. However, after Parcell observed physical evidence described in the video, Missoula County Sheriff Detective Mike Sunderland was assigned to the case.
The 14-year-old denied having a sexual relationship with Cahoon during an interview with First Step. However, after searching her phone, several text messages alluded to a sexual relationship including an exchange with Cahoon on Sept. 22 discussing getting caught.
Oct. 3, 2017 Sunderland noticed Cahoon’s vehicle drive by while in the vicinity of the 14-year-old’s home. He followed the vehicle and observed Cahoon park about a block away from her residence and enter the property owned by her grandparents. After receiving permission from the 14-year-old’s grandfather to enter the residence, Cahoon was found hiding in her closet.
When questioned by Sunderland, Cahoon admitted to kissing the 14-year-old and acknowledged there was a problem because of her age. When asked about a sexual relationship, Cahoon invoked his right to an attorney.
He was arrested Oct. 3 and booked in Missoula County Jail at 7:51 p.m.
On Oct. 17, Cahoon was charged with Count 1: Sexual intercourse without consent. This is a felony according to MCA 45-5-503 and punishable by not less than two - four years or more than 100 years or life and $50,000 fine. Bail was set at $50,000.
Cahoon plead not guilty Nov. 2. After sufficient evidence was presented by the State, a jury trial was set for April 2, 2018.
On Feb. 7, 2018, the state amended the charges to include a Count 2: Sexual abuse of children – possession of visual material, a felony according to MCA 45-5-625. This charge was the result of searching Cahoon’s phone which contained images of the 14-year-old in various states of undress from Aug. 21, 2017 - Sept. 30, 2017.
On March 26, Cahoon plead not guilty to both counts. The jury trial date was set for Sept. 17, 2018.
Judge Pinski released Cahoon July 30, 2018. His release allowed him to travel for work within Missoula, Lake, Powell and Lewis and Clark counties.
Just seven days before the trial, Cahoon agreed to a guilty plea for Count 1: Sexual intercourse without consent. In the plea agreement, the state agreed to dismiss Count 2: Sexual abuse of children – possession of visual material. For Count 1, the state offered a sentence of 20 years with 16 suspended and four years confinement at the Montana State Penitentiary.
At Cahoon’s sentencing Feb. 28, Judge Pinski suspended only 15 years of the 20-year sentence and gave credit for the 300 days served from October 2017 – July 2018. Cahoon was designated a Tier 1 Sexual Offender, the lowest level in the three-tier classification. The court recommended placement in a pre-release facility for the intensive supervision Cahoon requires and for the opportunity to pursue treatment.
Cahoon was booked into the Missoula County Jail following the hearing.
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