Rathdrum man sentenced for sexual abuse of a child

RATHDRUM - A Rathdrum man was sentenced Thursday to serve up to 10 years in state prison for sexual abuse of a child under the age of 16, the Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney's Office said.

Jae Kim Uk, 30, was sentenced by District Judge Lansing Haynes, who ordered that two years would be fixed, and the remaining eight years would be indeterminate.

Uk entered a guilty plea on Oct. 31, to the charge that he had touched the buttock and waist of a 13-year-old child with the intent to satisfy his sexual desire, according to a press release.

Uk has an extensive criminal history, including a prior conviction for statutory rape, 10 misdemeanor convictions, 16 infractions, and 5 probation violations.

"The fixed term will allow Mr. Uk to benefit from alcohol and sexual abuse counseling while protecting young women from his predatory conduct," said Prosecuting Attorney Barry McHugh.

He said the length of Uk's stay in prison will be determined by the Department of Correction based on his progress and their evaluation of the risk of releasing him back into the community.