A 26-year-old man from Boise has been sentenced to a minimum of 25 years in prison for raping a woman at knifepoint, according to a statement from the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office.
On Monday afternoon, Fourth District Judge Annie McDevitt sentenced Alexander Rutledge to life in prison, though he may be eligible for parole and release after 25 years, as stated in the release.
In August, a jury of 12 determined that Rutledge was guilty of rape and an additional felony for employing a deadly weapon during the crime.
A felony aggravated assault charge has been dismissed, according to court records.
In March 2024, Rutledge encountered the woman at a motel close to the Boise Airport, where he allegedly threatened her with a knife and compelled her to engage in sexual acts, according to the prosecutor’s office.
A woman managed to escape from Rutledge after a struggle, but she sustained serious injuries, as stated in the news release.
Shortly after the sexual assault, the Boise Police Department sought assistance from the public to identify Rutledge, resulting in many tips that ultimately led to his arrest.