A 37-year-old Bannock County man was arrested Friday on serious felony charges alleging he engaged in sexual conduct with a minor over a period of several years, with the case involving witness accounts, digital evidence, and allegations that the defendant provided illegal drugs to underage individuals.
Justin Troy Reese faces two counts of lewd conduct with a minor under the age of 16 and one count of statutory rape, the latter charge applying when a victim is 16 or 17 years old and the defendant is more than three years older. A public defender has been appointed to represent him, and a preliminary hearing is set for July 21 in Bannock County.
Victim Reported Conduct to Chubbuck Police in 2025
The case stems from a report made to the Chubbuck Police Department in July 2025, when the victim came forward and alleged that Reese had engaged in a sexual relationship with her from 2019 to 2021. During that period, she was between 15 and 17 years old. The alleged encounters took place at locations in both Chubbuck and Pocatello.
Investigators obtained digital communications as part of the case, including conversations pulled from text messages, Instagram, and Snapchat accounts linked to Reese’s phone numbers. Court records indicate Reese initially reached out to the victim online through multiple accounts, several of which the victim had blocked.
Among the messages reviewed, the victim directly accused Reese of rape. In response, Reese reportedly denied forcing her to do anything, which investigators noted was not a denial of the relationship itself.
Witness Accounts Detail Disturbing Allegations
Testimony gathered during the investigation painted a troubling picture of the alleged relationship. A friend of the victim stated she personally witnessed Reese groping the victim while the victim told him to stop — and that he did not. Another witness gave testimony alleging that Reese supplied drugs to minors, that he forced the victim to ingest methamphetamine, and that the witness observed the two engaged in sexual activity.
Reese’s mother also provided testimony in the case, though she stated she was not aware the victim was underage at the time.
During his own police interviews, Reese took a different approach: he denied knowing the victim at all and suggested the digital evidence against him had been fabricated. He claimed that screenshots could be manipulated and argued that any personal information the victim had about him could have been found through a simple internet search.
Significant Penalties if Convicted
The charges Reese faces carry severe consequences under Idaho law. A conviction on lewd conduct with a minor under 16 can result in a life sentence. Combined with the statutory rape charge and applicable fines, Reese could potentially face life imprisonment and financial penalties reaching up to $150,000.
Cases involving alleged long-term abuse of minors and digital evidence have increasingly drawn significant prosecutorial attention in Bannock County and across Southeast Idaho. Law enforcement agencies have noted that digital platforms — including social media applications popular with younger users — are frequently involved in cases where adults target minors.
The Chubbuck Police Department, which handled the initial report and investigation, worked with prosecutors to build the case over the past year before charges were filed and the arrest was made last Friday.
Reese remains entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until he is found guilty in a court of law. His preliminary hearing on July 21 will determine whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed to trial on the felony charges.
Bannock County residents concerned about criminal activity in the community can also review recent public safety coverage, including two Bannock County men who faced felony charges following a violent altercation in Lava Hot Springs.
What Comes Next
The preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 21 in Bannock County. At that proceeding, a judge will evaluate whether prosecutors have presented probable cause sufficient to bind the case over for trial. If the case proceeds, Reese will face arraignment on the formal charges. Given the severity of the alleged conduct and the volume of witness and digital evidence cited in court records, the case is expected to draw continued attention from law enforcement and the local community.