Glasgow Man Confesses Rape, Bonds Out
A Glasgow man suspected of having raped a 13-year-old girl faces up to life imprisonment if convicted. A warrant was issued by Valley County District Court last month for Justice Meland, 22. He was arrested and booked into the Valley County Detention Center Aug. 31. Within 15 hours, he was released on a $50,000 bond.
Meland faces one felony charge of sexual intercourse without consent. His arrest followed over a year of investigations by the Glasgow Police Department.
According to court documents, police began investigating Meland after a report was filed Aug. 7, 2020, of an inappropriate relationship between Meland and the alleged victim. In November 2020, police received a report of an alleged sexual relationship between Meland and the victim.
Documents indicate that in August 2020, Meland said he had sexual intercourse with the girl in his pickup truck on a country road outside Glasgow. Meland later said he had intercourse with her on at least 20 separate occasions. He also said he was aware he was 20 years old at the time and she was 13.
According to area media, the alleged victim was forensically interviewed on May 26 by staff of Child and Family Services of Glasgow. During the interview, the girl indicated that she was not a willing participant in a sexual relationship with Meland. She further indicated that she was afraid of him.
If convicted, Meland faces punishment of life imprisonment or by imprisonment in the state prison for a term of not more than 20 years and may be fined not more than $50,000.
