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Nampa rape allegations spur civil suit

The same day that adult assault charges were formally dropped against three teens, the reported victim's mother filed a lawsuit in 3rd District Court.

BY KRISTIN RODINE - krodine@idahostatesman.com

Published: 07/03/09


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Joshua Sheppard, Derek Orem and John Weber were 17 at the time of the alleged rape, but all three have since turned 18.

According to the suit filed Monday, Sheppard drove the girl, then 15, to his family's Nampa home Nov. 1 to watch a movie. Orem and Weber arrived later and joined them in the upstairs bonus room, according to the suit.

The lawsuit alleges the girl was raped five times - twice each by Sheppard and Orem, and once by Weber - about 2 a.m. Nov. 2. According to the suit, she suffered severe emotional distress, mental anguish and physical pain.

The lawsuit also names the parents of one of the teens, in whose home the alleged rape occurred.

Rick Tuha, attorney for that family, said he could not comment on the lawsuit until Monday, after he had conferred with his clients. Efforts to reach the defendants and their other attorneys Thursday afternoon were unsuccessful.

Adult charges in the case were dismissed after all three suspects pleaded "true" in another case, according to court documents.

Further information on those pleas and charges is not available because the new case is sealed. "True" and "false" are pleas used in juvenile court, and juvenile court cases are routinely sealed.

The suit seeks unspecified damages in excess of $10,000. The girl has incurred extensive expenses for medical treatment and counseling and will continue to need therapy, according to the lawsuit.

Sheppard's parents, Craig and Sue Sheppard, also are listed as defendants in the lawsuit, which claims they were negligent in supervising their son.

Kristin Rodine: 377-6447

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