POCATELLO — An 18-year-old local man has been charged with rape and lewd conduct with a minor after police say he sexually abused a now teenage girl for years.

James Frank Jorgenson, of Pocatello, is facing one count of rape where the victim is under 16 and the defendant is over 18, and one count of lewd conduct with a minor under 16, according to police and court records the Idaho State Journal recently obtained.

The charges stem from conduct police say occurred between Jan. 6 and May 6, when the victim was under 16, court records show.

The investigation began May 14, when a school counselor contacted police to report a possible child sexual abuse case, according to court records.

Police said the victim disclosed that Jorgenson had been sexually abusing her for years, prompting officers to arrange an emergency forensic interview that same day at a local child advocacy center.

During the interview, the girl described a pattern of abuse that had occurred on multiple occasions over an extended period, according to court records.

Investigators also collected physical evidence — a pair of underwear the girl said was connected to one of the incidents — which was later submitted, along with a DNA reference sample from Jorgenson, to the Idaho State Police Forensic Services lab for testing, court records state.

The girl told investigators she had kept a used condom from one of the alleged incidents, storing it in her bedroom as evidence, though she later discovered it missing and believed Jorgenson discovered and destroyed it, court records state.

Police interviewed Jorgenson on two occasions in May. During the first interview, he initially denied any sexual contact with the victim but later admitted to one instance of intercourse, though his account of the encounter differed from what the victim had told investigators, according to court records.

During a follow-up interview May 18, Jorgenson maintained his account of a single incident before stating he wished to stop answering questions and consult an attorney, court records state.

Detectives submitted the case to the Bannock County Prosecutor’s Office for review July 20, and prosecutors filed a criminal complaint against Jorgenson the following day.

Jorgenson appeared before 6th District Magistrate Judge Carol “Tippi” Jarman for an arraignment hearing via video conference from the Bannock County Jail Wednesday, where he was ordered to be released on his own recognizance.

Jorgenson is scheduled to appear in court again Aug. 11 for a preliminary hearing. Prosecutors will attempt to present sufficient evidence to elevate the case from magistrate to district court for trial.

Both the rape and lewd conduct charges Jorgenson faces are punishable by up to life in prison and a fine of up to $50,000.

Editor’s note: If a child is in immediate danger, call 911. To report suspected child abuse, neglect or abandonment in Idaho, call the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s Child Protection hotline at 855-552-KIDS (5437), or 208-334-KIDS (5437) in the Treasure Valley. Reports can also be made to local law enforcement or by calling 2-1-1. The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline is also available 24/7 at 800-422-4453 or via chat at childhelphotline.org. Locally, Family Services Alliance of Southeast Idaho provides shelter and support services and can be reached at 208-251-4357. The city of Pocatello’s Victim Services program can be reached at pocatello.gov/445/Victim-Services.