Lewd charges dismissed in child enticing cases

BONNERS FERRY — A local man being held with charges of enticing children through the internet, waived his preliminary hearings on Friday, June 23.

In addition, Ronald Thurmaan Childers II, 29, had his bond reduced slightly and had lewd conduct charges dismissed without prejudice on June 23.

The Boundary County man is being held on $150,000 bond for two felony counts of enticing a minor under 16 through the internet or other communication device. While charges were amended May 26 to include two counts of lewd conduct with a minor under 16, they have since been dismissed without prejudice by motion of the prosecutor.

Because Childers has two consecutive cases, a hearing was held for each case on June 23.

At the June 23 preliminary hearing, public defender Catherine Enright said her client would be waiving his right to a preliminary hearing for the first enticement charge.

By waiving the hearing, prosecution did not need to provide evidence in the case, rather the defense agreed to move the case to district court. At arraignment, Childers will enter a plea.

In response to Childers waiving the preliminary hearing in the first case, Boundary County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Tevis Hull said it was “unexpected” and requested a recess, which lasted nearly 40 minutes. Hull privately conferred with witnesses who had appeared for the proceedings.

Once out of recess, the preliminary hearing for the second case began. The charges included one count of enticing children under the age of 16 using the internet and two counts of lewd conduct with a minor under 16, all felonies.

Hull said the state would dismiss the two counts of lewd conduct without prejudice and come back and file the charges at a later date. The count of enticing children would remain.

Again, Enright requested a waiver of the preliminary hearing, which was granted and then bond reduction was discussed.

Enright argued that the $200,000 bond was too high and should be lowered considering Childers has no prior criminal history, nor any offense of this nature and has been in jail for more than six weeks. She said the bond expense was “exuberant” and due to being in jail and unable to work, he would not be able to earn the funds to make bail.

She reminded the court, he is innocent until proven guilty and that paying $1,000 instead of a bond of $200,000, would still be a toll on him and his family financially.

She asked Childers to be released on his own recognizance, saying her client lives locally and is actively involved in his case.

She said the court orders and no contact orders were enough to protect the alleged victims.

In response to the bond petition, Hull presented two exhibits, which included computer chats between Childers and the alleged victims.

Hull said the chats were between 12-year-old girls, the alleged victims. He described the conversations as “vile” and can only conclude they were sexual and that Childers’ conduct was “predatory in nature.” He alleged that Childers sent full nudes and photos of his genitals to the girls.

Hull said that Childers may not have a criminal history, but argued the evidence provided showed he was on the fast track to be predatory to the two alleged victims and others.

“The state is concerned that if released, he would pursue other young girls in the community,” Hull said.

According to the ongoing investigation, Childers allegedly contacted youths over several different apps and platforms, Hull said and alleged that if released, Childers could do the same with other girls if he were to acquire another phone or have internet access.

Judge Daniel McGee agreed to reduce the bond to $150,000 — nowhere close to what the defense was requesting. He also reminded the court how easy it is to get a burner phone.

Arraignment in both cases is scheduled for July 19 at 9 a.m. where Childers will enter a plea.

Charges dismissed without prejudice can be refiled by the prosecution at a later time. If a case is dismissed with prejudice, the charges cannot be refiled.

Per Idaho Code, a conviction of enticing a minor can result in a maximum of 15 years of imprisonment.

In Idaho, there is no statute of limitations for cases involving the sexual abuse of minors. More information can be found at rainn.org or by calling 800-656-HOPE (4673). Local resources include Boundary County Victim Services at 208-267-5211, and Boundary County Sheriff’s Office at 208-267-3151. All agencies listed can be reached 24/7. BCVS is available to assist victims of all types of crime.