Man sentenced on lewd conduct charge

COEUR d'ALENE - A Coeur d'Alene man was sentenced Monday to 15 years in state prison for lewd conduct with a minor under the age of 16.

John A. Shepherd, 56, was sentenced by District Judge John Luster, who ordered that the first three years of the sentence would be fixed, and the remaining 12 years indeterminate, with credit for time served. After three years in prison, Shepherd will be allowed to apply for parole.

Shepherd pleaded guilty to the charge n Dec. 11, 2009.

"In determining that a prison sentence was appropriate in this matter, Judge Luster found that Shepherd had only nominally accepted responsibility for his actions," said a press release from the Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.

Shepherd told investigators that the molestation was a one-time event caused by his use of methamphetamine and alcohol, despite having confirmed in a prior detective interview the victim's allegations that the sexual abuse was ongoing for several years.

Shepherd had a prior felony conviction for misuse of public money by an officer and a misdemeanor conviction for driving under the influence.

"Mr. Shepherd's blaming his conduct on both the victim and on his use of alcohol and methamphetamine are common themes in crimes such as this," said Kootenai County Prosecutor Barry McHugh.