Former Twin Falls UI Student Sentenced for Rape

MOSCOW, Idaho (AP) — A former University of Idaho student has been sentenced to up to 15 years in prison for raping another student last fall. Jesse Vierstra of Twin Falls was sentenced by 2nd District Judge Carl B. Kerrick on Monday.

Kerrick said Vierstra would have to serve five years in prison before he would be eligible for parole, and must register as a sex offender. Prosecutors say Vierstra was attending a party at the Sigma Chi fraternity house in October when he and the woman walked outside.

The woman told police they began kissing and when she tried to end the encounter he picked her up, carried her to some dark bushes and raped her. The victim testified Monday that she is in constant fear of running into Vierstra or his family.