In brief: Post Falls rapist Jordan Vernon violates probation, sent to prison

A former Post Falls church youth leader convicted in 2010 of the statutory rape of several teen girls is behind bars again for twice violating the conditions of his probation.

Jordan C. Vernon, 24, was sentenced Wednesday to serve up to 18 years in state prison after violating his probation on three statutory rape convictions, according to the Kootenai County prosecuting attorney’s office. Vernon had sexual relations with a woman who had a minor child and was caught sending sexual text messages, both of which were prohibited by his probation terms.

This is the second time he’s violated his probation, according to a news release.

“Mr. Vernon’s repeated violations of probation, and the nature of these violations, indicate that he is a continuing risk to the community in which he lives because of his inability or unwillingness to follow clearly defined terms of probation,” Prosecuting Attorney Barry McHugh said in the news release.

Vernon used his role as an assistant youth leader at Real Life Ministries in Post Falls to groom girls for sex, authorities said.

Kaitlin Gillespie

Coeur d’Alene police arrested a 21-year-old man Thursday on suspicion of stabbing another young man Wednesday afternoon on East Sherman Avenue near downtown.

Jayde A. Brown, a transient, was booked into the Kootenai County Jail for attempted homicide. Brown, suspected of stabbing a 20-year-old man in the chest, was arrested at a local motel.

The victim, who has not been named by police, was rushed into surgery Wednesday and was listed in stable condition Thursday. Like Brown, he also was listed as homeless.

Detectives determined the two men had previous disputes over stolen property.

The stabbing happened in the 1600 block of East Sherman just before 2 p.m. and prompted the temporary lockdown of three Coeur d’Alene schools while police searched for the suspect.

Scott Maben

Forklift crash victim was Spokane man

POLSON, Mont. – A forklift driver from Spokane died in a crash on a Montana mountain road on Tuesday.

The Sanders County coroner’s office said 57-year-old Gary Wayne Beagles died Tuesday afternoon when the Gradall material handler he was driving went off a Forest Service road south of Plains and rolled down a steep hill. The forklift rolled over Beagles, and he died at the scene.

Associated Press