Priest River man sentenced in case

SANDPOINT — A Priest River man will serve no more than ten years in prison after accepting a plea deal for three counts of child exploitative material and a count of video voyeurism.

Stanley Paul Solomon Sr., 42, originally faced 17 charges from two different cases beginning in March this year. In addition to serving time in the Idaho Department of Corrections’ system, Solomon was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.

A person close to Solomon called Priest River Police on March 28 after discovering videos on his Kindle Fire tablet that were described as “horrifying.”

Priest River Police Officer Tanner Bodie documented over four hours of explicit material created by Solomon between Feb. 24 and March 28, 2021. According to court records, Solomon was captured setting up and taking down the devices he used to create the recordings.

The recordings contain footage of three underage victims, one of whom is a young child.

“What I found was disturbing,” said Bodie in a probable cause affidavit filed on March 29.

One of the videos was enough evidence to open a second case with a charge of child sexual battery, court records indicate

Of the other 16 charges against Solomon, 12 were counts of child exploitative material and four were counts of video voyeurism. In exchange for a plea deal made on May 27, only three charges of child exploitative material and a count of video voyeurism were brought against Solomon. He was arrested on April 2 on a $250,000 bond.

“I think the crimes here are outrageous,” said First District Judge Lamont Berecz during Solomon’s sentencing on Aug. 24, “I’m not even sure how to word it or how to address it, but your behavior is just beyond inappropriate.”

Berecz presided over both cases, issuing no contact orders for two of the victims.

Both sides entered into a Rule 11 plea agreement on June 1. A Rule 11 plea agreement is where both sides agree on what a potential sentence should be. Under an agreement like this, a judge is bound to not alter the agreement, but has the option to throw it out and hand down an entirely different sentence.

“You were hoping to be placed on probation even though that’s not your Rule 11 agreement,” said Berecz during the sentencing hearing, “Although you try to justify and excuse [your actions] I find that there’s no justification, no excuse for your behavior here. You say you didn’t do anything wrong. So I don’t know how you find success in treatment.”

“Regardless of age, these people were still children. And to blame them, to suggest that they aren’t even victims. But that they essentially forced you into this or talked you into this or blackmailed you into this, it's ridiculous.”

Solomon entered an Alford guilty plea during August’s sentencing. An Alford plea is treated like any other guilty plea, but the accused maintains their innocence yet acknowledges there is enough evidence to convict them if the case were to go to trial.

“I admit to what I did was wrong,” said Solomon prior to his sentence being handed down. “I understand, looking back. I wish I could change it. I did not hurt nobody. I understand that maybe mentally I did, and I wish that that could change. I would like to get the help that I need so I can be a better person.”

Berecz decided to follow the Rule 11 agreement. Solomon was found guilty on three counts of child exploitative material and a count of video voyeurism. He was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine, register as a sex offender, and serve three to ten years in the Idaho Department of Corrections to be run concurrently. He received 151 days credit towards his sentence.

“I don’t think you’ll be able to make things right for the victim in this matter. This isn’t something where you can just simply pay restitution,” said Berecz, “I hope this brings some closure for you as you move forward in your life.”