Man draws 10 years in lewd conduct case

COEUR d’ALENE — A 29-year-old Rathdrum man who had sex with a teenager in a storage unit last winter after buying her vodka will spend 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to lewd conduct.

Sean S. Roland was sentenced Tuesday to between 10 and 15 years for one felony count of lewd conduct with a minor under 16, and to between 10 and 15 years for two counts of possessing child pornography. The sentences will run concurrently.

Roland was convicted of grooming a 14-year-old last February by messaging her, setting up a meeting, buying her alcohol and Minute Maid orange juice, and then walking with her to the abandoned storage units near McDonald’s along Highway 53 where he engaged in intercourse with the girl while lying on a coat on a concrete floor.

The 14-year-old reported the incident to school officials, who notified authorities. Roland’s youthful demeanor makes him appear much younger. The victim said she thought he was 22, according to a police report.

Police found Roland’s tracks in the snow and the empty Minute Maid container lying nearby, according to a report. Pretending to be the victim, authorities contacted Roland, who agreed to meet for sex again.

A psychosexual evaluation showed that Roland, who has a previous felony conviction for burglary, had a high likelihood to reoffend, according to court records.

“He is well above average risk for reoffending in the future,” deputy prosecutor Donna Gardner said.

Since Roland’s release from prison last year, he was contacted twice by law enforcement “concerning alcohol and underage girls and testing positive for marijuana,” Gardner said.

Prison was the only likely avenue available for Roland for the latest conviction, she said.

“Nothing short of prison is appropriate,” she said.

Defense attorneys sought a 10-year fixed sentence for Roland, who chose not to speak in court Tuesday when given the opportunity by First District Judge Cynthia K.C. Meyer.

“You should know you cannot have sexual relationships with someone who is under 18,” Meyer said. “It doesn’t matter that you look 16. You have a real lack of insight and mental health issues that need to be addressed.”