Former Idaho state representative sentenced to 20 years for raping intern

A former state representative in Idaho has been sentenced to 20 years for the rape of an intern, a crime of which he was convicted earlier this year. 

Aaron von Ehlinger, a 40-year-old ex-Republican representative from the state's 6th district, will have to serve eight years of his two-decade-long sentence before he is eligible for parol, Ada County District Judge Michael Reardon ruled on Wednesday. 

Ehlinger was convicted of having raped a 19-year-old intern at the state legislature after a dinner meet-up in March of last year. The state had sought a 40-year sentence with a 15-year minimum. 

He was first appointed in June of 2020 to fill a vacancy in the state legislature, after which he won election in November of that year.