Flat tire foils lewd conduct suspect

POST FALLS - Police believe a 51-year-old Post Falls man accused of sexually abusing a 12-year-old Post Falls girl and convicted twice of similar crimes before was trying to flee town when he was arrested last week.

Roy L. Goldsborough, being held at the Kootenai County jail on a $500,000 bond, was arrested early last Wednesday when he was changing a flat tire in a dark spot near the Walmart on Mullan Avenue.

"We believe it was clear to him that he was being investigated," Post Falls police Sgt. Dave Beck said. "Divine intervention stepped in and he became stuck with a flat tire near Walmart. He was getting ready to leave the area."

Goldsborough had been living with the alleged victim's mother, then left the home when police called, Beck said.

Beck said an officer spotted Goldsborough changing a tire during routine patrol, and the Oregon plates matched those of a man who was being investigated for lewd conduct.

Beck said Goldsborough was investigated after the girl told her mother about the alleged abuse last week. He confessed to the crime during a phone call recorded by police between the girl and Goldsborough, according to court documents.

Goldsborough is being held on one charge of lewd conduct with a minor. However, he is being investigated for "multiple" incidents with the girl, but Beck declined to specify the number.

Goldsborough was convicted in 1990 in Oregon for molesting another young girl. He was also convicted in 1996 in Oregon for molesting a daughter of a woman he was dating.

"Same situation here," Beck said. "He met the woman online, began dating her, then molested her daughter."

Goldsborough moved to Post Falls about two months ago, Beck said.

Beck said Goldsborough is a registered sex offender in Oregon, but never registered when he lived in other areas in the past year and a half, including Spokane, Moses Lake and Eureka, Calif.

"When he'd go to these areas, he didn't register, so he flew under the radar," Beck said.

Goldsborough declined to speak with detectives. An investigation continues.