Eureka teen enters not guilty plea to felony rape charges

A teen facing rape charges of a developmentally disabled person in Lincoln County pleaded not guilty to the offenses last week in district court.

Talon Redhawk Springer, 18, of Eureka entered pleas to two felony counts of sexual intercourse without consent Jan. 3 in front of District Judge Matt Cuffe. Springer’s next hearing is scheduled for Feb. 3. A pre-trial conference is set for March 17.

Springer is being held in the Lincoln County Detention Center on $150,000 bail.

Springer was freed in Butte-Silver Bow County earlier this year following accusations he raped a 4-year-old child there.

According to the court documents, Springer had an initial appearance via video Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, before Justice of the Peace Jay Sheffield. Springer signed the document indicating he understood the charges and possible penalties, his rights and conditions of release.

According to the charging document filed by County Attorney Marcia Boris, Springer was charged with sexual intercourse without consent in Butte-Silver Bow Jan. 27, 2024. A court order indicated Springer was released on his own recognizance. One of his release conditions indicate he was required to wear a GPS monitor.

According to court documents, Springer appeared July 29, 2024, before Silver Bow County District Judge Robert Whelan for a bail reduction hearing. Deputy County Attorney Ann Shea appeared for the prosecution while Springer was represented by Andrew Betson and Sherry Petrovich-Staedler.

A court filing said Shea did not object to Springer’s release. 

Following the hearing, Judge Whelan approved Springer’s release on his own recognizance. One of the stipulations of his release was he wear a GPS monitor at all times.

Other release conditions said Springer must live with a his stepdad at 1027 Highway North, Eureka. Springer was not allowed to be within 500 yards of any school, gyms, YMCAs, public swimming pools or any other area that children under the age of 18 congregate. Another condition said Springer was to be released to Betson, his attorney, to be transported to Eureka.

But yet another release condition said if Springer was under the supervision of his stepdad, he was allowed to fish and attend any family gatherings with children present. Court records say the man and his wife had custody of Springer on the day of his birth in January 2006. 

The Butte-Silver Bow County District Court calendar indicates Springer has a final pre-trial conference at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 8, 2025.

According to a story on kxlf.com, Springer, 17 years old at the time, was accused of raping a 4-year-old girl while playing hide-and-seek with her and her siblings in October 2023 at a school in Butte. Defense attorneys sought to have Springer’s case tried in youth court, but the request was denied.

In the Lincoln County case, county deputy Scott Welchons received a report that Springer had sexual intercourse with another person, Jane Doe, without consent. The alleged victim is over 18, but developmentally delayed, court documents said.

Welchons spoke with the woman’s mother, who told him her daughter went fishing with Springer sometime around Nov. 1. After they returned to his residence, he took her into his room. The alleged victim repeatedly told Springer she didn’t want to go to his house, did not want a “tour” of his house and once in his room, she did not want to have sex with him.

According to the charging document, Springer pulled down the woman’s pants and had sexual intercourse with her despite her telling him “no” and “stop.”

The mother said a shirt and underwear were washed since the incident, but a pair of jeans hadn’t been washed and they were given to law enforcement.

A forensic interview was conducted Nov. 21 with “Doe” and she described two different incidents with Springer. She described the previously reported incident following the fishing trip and another at a property where she lives.

The alleged victim said there were children around and they were playing with Nerf guns. She said Springer took the woman to another area, away from the children, and forced her to perform oral sex on him.

According to the court document, in discussions with the alleged victim’s sister, the fishing trip occurred Oct. 25 and the second incident occurred Nov. 1.

A conviction for sexual intercourse without consent could result in a maximum sentence of 20 years in the Montana State Prison.