Rathdrum man gets 20 years in prison

COEUR d'ALENE - A 26-year-old Rathdrum man was sentenced this week to 20 years in prison for felony crimes including lewd conduct and sexual abuse with a child less than 16 years old.

Justin S. Savage also was sentenced for "injury to jail," related to his conduct while incarcerated.

First District Judge Fred Gibler ordered that the first seven years of his sentence for lewd conduct and sexual abuse with a child be mandatory. For the remaining 13 years he'll be eligible for parole.

For damaging the jail, Gibler gave Savage a five-year fixed term.

The lewd conduct and sexual abuse charges related to his fondling and photographing a young boy "to satisfy Savage's lust, passion and sexual desires," Kootenai County prosecutors said in a press release.

Savage entered pleas of guilty to the charges in September 2011.

He had prior convictions for misdemeanor theft, possession of a controlled substance and burglary.

Kootenai County Prosecutor Barry McHugh on Wednesday said, "The long sentences imposed by Judge Gibler reflects the seriousness of the offenses and the defendant's prior criminal history."