Man charged with lewd conduct

PRIEST RIVER — A Bonner County man has been arrested on two counts of lewd and lascivious conduct.

Thomas John "TJ" Calvin was scheduled to make an initial court appearance in Bonner County Magistrate Court on Monday. Minutes from the hearing, however, were not immediately available.

Calvin, 78, is accused of engaging in lewd conduct with a 12-year-old in the summer of 2019, a criminal complaint said.

The misconduct was originally reported to the Washington State Patrol, which referred the matter to the Bonner County Sheriff's Office, according to court documents. The alleged victim told investigators he was molested at Calvin's home northwest of Priest River.

Calvin is alleged to have groomed the boy for the sexual abuse while discussing sex education, according to a probable cause affidavit. Court documents further allege that there are screen shots of letters in which Calvin apologized for abusing two other children, although neither are named in the criminal complaint.

The complaint alleges Calvin sexually abused the 12-year-old in the summer of 2019.