Sexual assault case continues in court

WALLACE - A convicted Bonners Ferry sex offender waived his preliminary hearing in Shoshone County Magistrate Court Wednesday for allegedly sexually abusing a 10-year-old girl.

Don Fritzsche, 33, was arrested two weeks ago at his uncle’s home in Bonners Ferry on a federal warrant. He is charged with two counts of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child under 16.

Fritzsche was bound to the district court. Felony arraignment proceedings are estimated to take place in Shoshone County District Court in mid-August. Fritzsche remains in Shoshone County Jail on $100,000 bond.

He had been investigated for months by Lt. Corey Thompson with the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office who secured a federal Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution warrant with assistance from Lt. Shane Havelin. Fritzsche became a high profile case when he fled a state warrant for his arrest running between multiple states including Texas, Oregon, Montana, and Washington - even landing on a broadcast of America’s Most Wanted.

Havelin ultimately made the arrest earlier this month.

As of July 2006, sexual offenders who re-offend in Idaho are given the possibility of a maximum punishment of life in prison. The convicted sex offender may also face federal charges as well as charges in other states for violating rules as a registered sex offender.