A 57-year-old Post Falls contractor accused of raping teenage girls is behind bars facing two counts of felony lewd conduct, which carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Daniel S. Mattern turned himself in to Kootenai County deputies after a judge issued a warrant for his arrest.

His attorney, Rick Baughman, asked Magistrate James Combo at Mattern’s first appearance Thursday in First District Magistrate Court for a low bond amount.

Mattern is a local resident with a family and a business, Specialty Construction Systems.

Baughman asked Combo to set bond around $15,000, citing previous cases and Mattern’s lack of a criminal background.

“He practically has no criminal history,” Baughman said. “There is no risk of re-offending or absconding.”

Combo however set bond at $250,000, calling the amount appropriate, and ordered a preliminary hearing be set within 14 days.

According to charging documents, Mattern allegedly had sex with underage girls between 1990 and 1998, and between 2010 and 2014. Both of the girls were under 16, and one was 6 years old.

Witnesses recently reported the incidents to county investigators, who began reviewing the case and conducting interviews late last year. The investigation concluded this week with Mattern’s arrest.

Sentencing for felony lewd conduct with a minor depends on the criminal circumstances and allegations. Higher degrees of the charge generally receiving harsher punishments.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect a correction in the name of the business owned by Mattern.