Arlee man accused of raping 15-year-old girl

An Arlee man is accused of raping a 15-year-old girl as she slept. Michael Charlo, 62, entered a plea of not guilty in Polson District Court March 14 to sexual intercourse without consent.

According to charging documents, on Feb. 22, deputies with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in Arlee and spoke with the alleged victim. She indicated that she woke up to Charlo sexually assaulting her, with her pants and underwear pulled down to her ankles.

She said she went to her mom’s room to calm down and Charlo followed, while apologizing and telling her she was beautiful. She also indicated that he offered her money.

The girl also told officers that she had fallen asleep on the couch and had her blue underwear on, and that her underwear was missing.

When questioned by the deputies, Charlo stated he had gone to the girl’s house the night before and was drinking with the girl’s mother. He indicated that he was drinking whiskey and smoking marijuana.

He admitted that he was alone with the girl for about 15 minutes that morning. When Charlo was arrested, he was allegedly in possession of the girl’s missing blue underwear.

Judge Leslie Halligan out of Missoula, who is filling in for Judge Deborah “Kim’ Christopher, set a trial date of Aug. 26. Charlo is incarcerated at the Lake County Jail; bail is set at $50,000.