Mai pleads guilty in case

BONNERS FERRY — Ryan V. Mai, 46, of Bonners Ferry, pled guilty to one count of sexual battery of a minor child as part of a May 6 plea agreement.

The local rancher and former coach had been charged with three counts of lewd conduct to a minor between 16-17 years of age.

The plea agreement requests that the two additional counts of sexual battery be dropped with a prosecution sentencing of one year in prison, determinate and an open period indeterminate.

Mai was charged Nov. 23, 2021, on the grounds of alleged lewd conduct with the alleged victim on three occasions between Oct. 16 and Nov. 11, 2021. He was 45 years old at the time.

Due to the plea agreement, a jury trial scheduled for July has been vacated and instead Mai will be sentenced in July.

There is no statute of limitations for underage sexual assault victims to come forward. Many victims begin by confiding in someone they trust. There are 24/7 hotlines available for those looking to report a crime or provide information.