Man accused of lewd conduct with minor

RATHDRUM — A man was arrested this week for alleged lewd contact with a 15-year-old girl after police found him with blood on his hand.

Thomas H. Desonia, 19, of Athol, is charged with lewd conduct with a child under 16, a felony.

Police responded Wednesday around 4:45 a.m. to a report of a suspicious vehicle in a residential area of Rathdrum.

The driver, identified as Desonia, was alone in the car. His right hand was reportedly covered in dried blood. Police said his first three fingers were entirely coated in blood, according to court documents.

Desonia allegedly said that he had just visited his 18-year-old girlfriend, who lived in the area, and his hand was coated in her menstrual blood.

Police contacted the teen, who indicated that she was 17 years old and had not seen Desonia that night. The teen’s parent confirmed this, according to court documents.

When questioned, Desonia allegedly told police he had actually been with a different girl, who was 17, and the blood belonged to her.

Police detained Desonia in handcuffs and contacted the girl’s mother at her home, who reportedly confirmed that the girl was 15 years old.

The girl told police she met up with Desonia earlier and spent time with him in a van. She said Desonia touched her private area, under her clothes, according to court documents.

Police arrested Desonia.

Judge Timothy Van Valin ordered Thursday that Desoia be held on $100,000 bail.

He also issued a no contact order between Desonia and the girl and ordered that Desonia not be alone with any minor under 18.