Local man found guilty of sex crimes against children
Kerry John Field.
(Courtesy Photo: BCSO)
BONNERS FERRY — A jury found a local man guilty on a charge of lewd conduct with a minor under 16 and sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 16 on June 14.
Kerry John Field, 73, was found guilty of all charges and will be sentenced Sept. 20.
The victim claimed Field behaved inappropriately when she sat on her lap and visited his home in Coeur d’Alene and Bonners Ferry.
Field initially denied the children ever sat on his lap, but after being challenged on the claim during an interview with the Bonners Ferry Police Department, he said he would have each child on his leg. He then admitted he would “cuddle on the couch” with them.
Lewd and lascivious conduct upon the body of a minor under 16 holds a maximum penalty of life in prison. Sexual abuse of a minor under 16 holds a penalty of 15 years.
In 1985, Field was convicted of lewd and lascivious conduct upon a minor under the age of 14.
A pretrial conference is set for Feb. 7 with a trial date of March 7.