Rathdrum man waives hearing on sex charges

COEUR d’ALENE — A 50-year-old Rathdrum man accused of having sex with a 14-year-old girl waived his evidentiary hearing in Coeur d’Alene’s First District Court and was bound over on the felony charges.

Alpha L. Roberts through his attorneys waived his right this week to challenge investigators who would have presented evidence in an attempt to establish probable cause.

Instead, Roberts, who faces two counts of lewd conduct with a minor under 16 and one count of sexual abuse of a child, chose to have the case heard in district court.

Roberts was arrested April 12 based on two incidents that happened a few days earlier, according to court records in which Roberts allegedly fondled the victim and had manual-genital conduct with the victim at least twice.

The victim told administrators at her school that she had been raped, according to court records.

Investigators pretending to be the alleged victim communicated with Roberts from the victim’s phone, asking him to call the victim. When Roberts called, investigators recorded the conversation, according to a police report.

Prosecutors asked for a $75,000 bond because of 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 argued for a lower bond, around $30,000, and a magistrate settled instead on a $50,000, which posted the same day allowing Roberts to get out of jail.

A May 17 arraignment is set.

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