Corsi to spend 90 days in jail

BONNERS FERRY — Kenny David Corsi will spend 90 days in the Boundary County Jail after his sentencing on Sept. 19 for two counts of sexual battery committed by lewd or lascivious acts on a minor child 16 to 17 years of age.

Corsi was originally charged in April 2018 with seven counts of rape and one count of sexual battery of a minor child, 16 or 17 years of age, that occurred between the dates of September and Nov. 15, 2017. He entered a plea of guilty on May 23, 2019, to the amended complaint.

At the time that Corsi was accused of committing the crimes, he was 64, and the victim was 17.

The victim was not present at the sentencing, but her mother spoke on her behalf. In order to preserve the identity of the victim, the mother’s name is withheld.

The mother of the victim said she was there to explain the impact that this has had on her daughter’s life. She said that her daughter had lost all interest in things, like eating, friends, and horses, which is something she formally was passionate about.

The mother explained that her daughter chose to move away from the area.

“It brings back a sexual assault — a rape,” she said about why her daughter no longer wanted to remain here.

She said that her daughter’s “trust has been totally annihilated” and that “her confidence level is gone.”

On the behalf of her daughter, the mother asked that Corsi be required to register as a sex offender, and also asked for life in prison.

Boundary County Prosecutor Tevis Hull began by speaking about recognizing the victims in crimes, citing several examples.

He explained why victims are often afraid to come forward in crimes like this one. He read parts of letters that were written in support of Corsi, stating that people “look at it from their vantage point.”

“What is lost — is that we don’t know the names of the victims,” Hull said.

One of the letters that he read called the victim an adulteress. Another felt Corsi was set up by the victim.

“This is why victims don’t come forward,” said Hull.

Hull said that the State felt strongly that it wanted to send a message in this case, recommending a 15-year prison sentence, with three years fixed.

Timothy B. Wilson, Attorney for the defense, spoke next, stating that Corsi was a 65 year old farmer that had lived here “forever” and had “never had a brush with the law.”

“He understands that he broke the law,” said Wilson about Corsi, going on to explain that Corsi had participated in everything that was asked of him.

Wilson argued for rehabilitation, pointing out that the ordered psychosexual evaluation showed Corsi as having a low risk of reoffending.

Wilson said that Corsi was sorry for what he had done. He brought up that Corsi had almost lost his marriage, that he had to put his farm up for sale, and that he had been publicly shamed.

“It is a challenge and a struggle every day,” said Wilson about Corsi’s life.

Wilson said that he believed extended probation would be best.

Corsi was given the opportunity to speak and he said, “It was the biggest mistake of my life. I am truly sorry for my actions.”

He also spoke about being sober for a year and a half, and that alcohol had “aided in his decision.”

Corsi ended by emotionally asking for the mercy of the court.

First District Judge Barbara Buchanan then spoke about the different factors involved with the sentencing, including prior criminal history, character, and intent to harm.

“I think it is very unlikely that a crime like this would happen again,” said Buchanan.

Buchanan sentenced Corsi to five years in prison determinate, and five years indeterminate, with the prison sentence suspended. She also sentenced him to 90 days in the Boundary County Jail because she stated that there should be some punishment as a consequence. Corsi will also be required to register as a sex offender.