Mountain Home priest charged with rape

MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho – Authorities in south-central Idaho have charged a Mountain Home priest with raping a Mountain Home Air Force airman after he passed out.

Magistrate Judge David Epis released Rev. Victor Jagerstatter on Monday without requiring him to post bond after nearly 100 parishioners attended the arraignment. Many carried posters which read “Fr. Victor is innocent.”

According to Mountain Home police, the victim had rented a room from the 39-year-old Jagerstatter since late June. Police say that the victim came home from a party intoxicated on July 9 and woke up partially exposed with Jagerstatter kneeling beside him. The victim told police the sexual encounter was not consensual.

Keith Roark, Jagerstatter’s attorney, requested a preliminary hearing that is now scheduled for August 8.

Jagerstatter was ordained in 2006 and has since been placed on administrative leave.