Man sentenced for child sexual abuse

COEUR d’ALENE — A man who confessed to having sexual contact with a minor has received a prison sentence.

Jordan M. Cook, 34, of Coeur d’Alene, pleaded guilty in January to sexual abuse of a minor, a felony.

Judge Barry McHugh sentenced Cook this week to 15 years in prison, with two years fixed and the rest indeterminate. That means Cook will be eligible for parole in about two years.

Coeur d’Alene police began an investigation last November after a 14-year-old girl reported that Cook had touched her inappropriately on multiple occasions.

Cook admitted, in a recorded phone call, to putting his mouth on the teen’s feet for the purposes of sexual gratification, according to court documents.

Police said Cook also sent text messages to another party, promising to seek therapy and “turn himself in and rot in jail” because of his actions.

When interviewed by police, Cook reportedly admitted to the crime a second time, describing two incidents where he touched the teen inappropriately.

Prosecuting attorney Laura McClinton said Cook’s actions traumatized the victim and the victim’s family.

“The conduct that occurred with the 14-year-old was leading up to worse conduct,” McClinton said. “He’s someone who was pushing the limits and trying to see what he could get away with.”

Before receiving his sentence, Cook addressed the court. He said the four months he’s been in jail has been the longest stretch of sobriety he’s experienced in years and has forced him to confront the impact his actions had on the teen victim and others in his life.

“What I did was sick and wrong, there’s no excuse for it,” he said.