Hayden man sentenced to prison for lewd conduct

A Hayden was sentenced to prison following a conviction for lewd conduct with a minor.

The charge stems from an investigation into an allegation that Benjamin Daniel Bauer, 36, sexually abused a child about seven years ago in Montana. Bauer was confronted with this allegation and admitted to it, according to the Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.

The Kootenai County Prosecutor’s Office is unable to prosecute crimes committed in Montana. 

"However, during the investigation, Bauer admitted that he sexually abused a different child about three years ago in Kootenai County," a press release said. 

Bauer was sentenced Dec. 11 by District Judge Ross Pittman. 

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Melody McCombs recommended a life prison sentence with parole eligibility after 25 years. 

Pittman sentenced Bauer to a 40-year prison sentence with parole eligibility after 20 years.

Lewd conduct with a minor under 16 is a felony, punishable by up to life in prison.

Prosecuting Attorney Stanley T. Mortensen thanked Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Nick Lepire for prosecuting the case, the Coeur d’Alene Police Department for investigating the case and the child victims for coming forward with the allegations and cooperating with the investigation and prosecution.