Man faces lewd conduct charges

COEUR d'ALENE — A 50-year-old Rathdrum man who faces two counts of lewd conduct with a minor under 16 and one count of sexual abuse of a child is in the Kootenai County jail on a $50,000 bond.

Prosecutors asked bond for Alpha L. Roberts be set at $75,000 because of his criminal history and incriminating statements he made at the time of his arrest, which will be used against him in court.

“There’s a high likelihood of conviction,” deputy prosecutor Melissa McClure said.

Defense attorneys asked for a lower bond, around $30,000, because Roberts is employed, has family here and has lived in the area for three decades.

According to court records, the charges against Roberts are based on two incidents that happened on April 9, in which he is accused of having manual-genital conduct with the victim at least twice and fondling the 14-year-old alleged victim.

The victim confided to administrators at her school earlier this week that she had been raped, according to court records.

Investigators impersonated the alleged victim when they texted Roberts from the victim’s phone, and asked Roberts to call the victim, according to a police report. When Roberts called, investigators recorded the conversation.

Magistrate Robert J. Caldwell ordered a no-contact order, and scheduled an April 23 preliminary hearing.

Lewd conduct with a child under 16 carries a maximum life prison sentence and a $50,000 fine.