Columbia Falls teenager charged with raping 12-year-old Coram girl

Columbia Falls teen Matthew Malinowski, 17, pleaded not guilty last week to sexual intercourse without consent and sexual assault, both felonies. 

Both counts are punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for life or for a period not less than four years or more than 100 years, and a fine of $50,000.

Malinowski is charged with raping a 12-year-old girl who was living with her mother in Coram, according to court documents. 

On June 17, the girl told Kalispell Police Officer Karen Webster that Malinowski had hurt her on her bed on two occasions in December 2014 and January 2015. She described in detail to the officer what he had allegedly made her do in both incidents. She said that Malinowski had “told her not to tell anyone as it would ruin his life,” according to court documents.

Malinowski is in the custody of the juvenile detention center pending $5,000 bail. A jury trial is scheduled for the term beginning Feb. 1.