Sex sting lands Rathdrum man in prison

A Rathdrum sex offender who was on probation when he was busted in a February sex sting will serve at least 11 years in prison.

Richard Peterson, 24, was sentenced Tuesday to an underlying 15-year sentence after pleading guilty to a count of enticing children using the internet.

Peterson was arrested Feb. 10 in Post Falls after attempting to meet a 14-year-old girl for sex. The teen turned out to be a police officer.

Peterson was already on probation after being convicted for a 2015 lewd conduct with a minor charge, and prosecutors Tuesday called him a dangerous criminal who should be behind bars.

“This 15-year sentence is a long time,” deputy prosecutor Rebecca Perez said, adding that she wished the maximum penalty was higher. “He is absolutely a risk.”

Perez said Peterson’s docile demeanor belies his intent.

“He is extremely dangerous,” Perez said. “He doesn’t look it, but he is. He isn’t deterred by anything.”

Peterson was busted in a sting called Operation Lonely Heart in which a police officer posted a note on a sex site called Whisper, pretending to be a 14-year-old.

Peterson responded, engaged in sexually charged text messages and drove to a Post Falls residence where police waited for him.

After his arrest, he admitted to police he attempted to meet an underage girl, that the danger of getting caught was part of the thrill, and that he thought the meeting was “too good to be true,” according to police reports. He was carrying a half dozen condoms when he was arrested.

Kootenai County Public Defender Ann Taylor said her client was diagnosed with a sexual disorder and that he understands he has an illness.

“When he is down and low he uses sex to feel better,” Taylor said.

Peterson is a father and husband, Taylor said.

“There is more to him than you see here,” she said.

Judge Cynthia K.C. Meyer imposed the prison time and told Peterson he should use all the programs available in prison.

“You will not be a very old man when you are released,” Meyer said. “I hope you will do everything you can to address your issues.”