Lippert facing additional felony charges

Robert Scott Lippert, who was found guilty by a jury Jan. 26 of sexually abusing one of his daughters while she was under the age of 16, is facing additional federal and state felony charges, according to a Clearwater County Sheriff's Department (CCSO) news release.

Clearwater County Prosecutor Lori M. Gilmore filed a felony aggravated assault charge against Lippert in December 2005 stemming from an additional investigation by the CCSO. He will be arraigned on that charge this month, the release said.

In June 2005, U.S. Marshals arrested Lippert in Spokane, WA on charges including workmen's compensation fund fraud and mail fraud. He was out on bond when he was arrested the following month in Orofino on the felony warrant which charged him with sexual abuse of a minor under age of 16, according to CCSO.

A 13-member panel was selected from a pool of 50 jurors on opening day of Lippert's four-day trial. Six people testified on the following two days including the defendant. Testimony included statements from the victim concerning the sexual abuse incident when she was 15 years old and living on Rudo Road in Clearwater County, according to CCSO Detective Becky Drewery.

Lippert is currently incarcerated in the Clearwater County Jail. He is scheduled for sentencing on April 21 and the conviction could mean a maximum of 15 years in prison, the release said.

For further information on the trial and conviction, see Jan. 26, 2006 issue of Window on the Clearwater.

Photo: Robert Scott Lippert in his booking photo. (Photo courtesy of Clearwater County Sheriff's Department)