Plea Agreement in Pocatello Case
A 21-year-old from Pocatello, facing several serious charges, has agreed to a plea deal that significantly reduces the number of charges against him. The individual, Taisen Lopez-Scharer, was initially charged with multiple counts of child pornography, rape, and sexual exploitation.
Details of the Charges
Lopez-Scharer was involved in two separate legal cases, each concerning different victims. The first case, filed in 2024, included four felony rape charges. The second case, initiated the previous year, involved two charges of felony sexual exploitation of a child and two charges of possessing child pornography.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Lopez-Scharer will plead guilty to one count of rape. In exchange, the remaining charges in both cases will be dismissed. However, the agreement is nonbinding, meaning the presiding judge is not obligated to accept it. The agreement does not specify any sentencing recommendations.
Upcoming Court Appearance
Lopez-Scharer is scheduled to appear before District Judge Javier Gabiola for a change of plea hearing at 9:30 a.m. on March 30. This hearing will determine whether the plea agreement is accepted by the court.
Background of the Rape Charges
The initial arrest of Lopez-Scharer occurred on September 17, 2024, when he was 19 years old. The arrest followed a report from a mother to the Pocatello Police Department, stating that Lopez-Scharer was attempting to force entry into her home. The mother informed officers that her daughter, who was experiencing a miscarriage, was impregnated by Lopez-Scharer.
During an interview with detectives, Lopez-Scharer admitted to engaging in sexual activities with the woman’s daughter, who was 16 at the time. He acknowledged that he was aware of her status as a minor.
Child Pornography and Exploitation Charges
In a separate incident, Lopez-Scharer faced additional felony charges after a mother in Iowa reported to the Pocatello Police Department that her daughter had sent explicit images to him. Court documents, spanning 134 pages, revealed that Lopez-Scharer had been communicating with the girl since December 2023. Their interactions included the exchange of explicit videos.
The documents also indicated that Lopez-Scharer had discussed the rape charges with the girl and expressed a desire for the case to be dismissed.
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