LOGAN — A 20-year-old Nibley man was arrested for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl last month, according to investigators. Sem Francois Pirtle was booked Thursday into the Cache County Jail following a month’s long investigation.
According to a probable cause statement, Cache County Sheriff’s deputies received a report of the rape on June 9. The alleged victim claimed Pirtle had sexually assaulted her in a truck, parked in a field near a local high school.
The girl told deputies that she met Pirtle several weeks earlier on Snapchat. He originally told her he was 18-years-old and had just graduated from high school.
When the two went out on a date, Pirtle supposedly asked the alleged victim to tell his family and friends that she was 18-years-old and graduated. The two played pickle ball at a friend’s house and then went to a field to watch a drive-in movie, according to the arrest affidavit.
The girl claimed that during the movie, Pirtle began taking her clothes off, groping and molesting her. As she reportedly told him “no,” he continued further and allegedly raped her.
The alleged victim told deputies she felt sick, gross and scared. The assault continued until her mother called her, court records reported.
As the investigation continued, the girl texted Pirtle, confronting him about the rape. He replied, apologizing and saying he was sorry.
Deputies were able to trace Pirtle’s Snapchat account. They were able to locate his driver’s license and discover his actual age.
According to court records, Pirtle was arraigned Friday in Logan’s 1st District Court. He was charged with object rape, a first-degree felony; and two counts of forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony.
Judge Spencer Walsh set Pirtle’s bail at $30,000 and ordered him to appear again in court July 22. He also ordered the suspect to have no contact with the alleged victim or any minors except for immediate family members.
Individuals arrested and charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.