Clovis man faces first of five rape charges today

A Clovis man is scheduled to go to trial today in Portales to defend the first of five rape charges against him. The allegations stem from incidents that occurred over a three-year span.

John Jacobs is charged with criminal sexual penetration and tampering with evidence in today’s case, charges that hold a maximum of 10 1/2 years in prison.

Jacobs is pleading not guilty. He could not be reached for comment Wednesday night and his lawyer was unavailable at his Las Vegas, N.M. office Wednesday afternoon.

Jacobs is scheduled to go to trial next week to face a similar charge in Clovis, and three additional trials will be scheduled there at a later date.

“We’re just going to trial this week on one because they’ve all been separated,” said Andrea Reeb, deputy district attorney for the 9th Judicial District Court.

Reeb said she will use 10 witnesses in the first case against Jacobs. The trial is scheduled to continue through Friday.

Reeb would not comment on the specifics of the case until a jury has been selected, which is expected to happen before noon today, officials with the D.A.’s office said.

Police began investigating Jacobs in the summer of 2002 after an 18-year-old woman claimed Jacobs raped her at a party at his house. During investigations other victims claimed Jacobs raped them as well.