Sentencing pending in lewd conduct cases
SANDPOINT — A Bonner County man is entering into a plea agreement to resolve rape and lewd conduct charges against him, according to 1st District Court records.
Ezra Tyrone Baker was charged with two counts of rape and lewd conduct. The sexual assaults against a 13-year-old girl occurred in 2018, when Baker was over the age of 18, a criminal complaint alleges.
In a pretrial settlement agreement with the state, Baker pleaded guilty to one count of rape and the remaining two charges were dismissed.
In exchange for the admission of guilt, the state has agreed to limit its recommendation to 10 years in prison, according to the May 24 settlement agreement. Baker will also pay a $5,000 civil penalty to the alleged victim and restitution in the case is pending.
Baker, 21, is free on a $21,000 surety bond while the case is pending. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 3.
Another Bonner County man charged with rape and lewd conduct in an unrelated case entered into a similar agreement and also awaits sentencing.
Jacob Steven McKnight was charged with two counts of lewd conduct and one count of rape after repeatedly sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl over an extended period of time.
McKnight, 19, pleaded guilty to one count of lewd conduct and the balance of the charges were dismissed.
The state is recommending a 10-year prison term. If a psychosexual evaluation determines McKnight is at a low- or medium-risk of re-offending and the Idaho Department of Correction recommends retained jurisdiction, the state will not oppose that sentence, according to the plea agreement.
Senior District Judge Steve Verby ordered a full-spectrum polygraph examination and McKnight himself requested the psychosexual evaluation.
“I need to know if I’m internally broken,” McKnight said in his written plea agreement.
McKnight is scheduled to be sentenced on July 2.
In both cases, the alleged victims broke the cycle of abuse by disclosing it to adults and authorities, court records show.
Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.