Man sentenced for sexual battery
KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 6 months AGO
Kaye Thornbrugh is a second-generation Kootenai County resident who has been with the Coeur d’Alene Press for six years. She primarily covers Kootenai County’s government, as well as law enforcement, the legal system and North Idaho College. | April 8, 2021 1:00 AM
A registered sex offender will serve 89 days in jail after pleading guilty to two charges.
Jacob W. Dorsett, 22, of Post Falls, pleaded guilty in accordance with Alford last week to misdemeanor sexual battery. He also pleaded guilty to disseminating material harmful to a minor, a misdemeanor.
By entering an Alford plea, Dorsett does not admit guilt but acknowledges there is enough evidence that he might be convicted if the case went to trial.
Judge James Stow sentenced Dorsett to 365 days in jail on each charge, with 274 days suspended, credit for 9 days served and 30 days of discretionary time. The sentences are to be served concurrently.
Dorsett was also sentenced to two years of supervised probation.
He reported to the Kootenai County Jail on Monday.
The charges stem from 2019, when Dorsett’s former girlfriend told police Dorsett raped her.
Dorsett was initially charged with rape, a felony. He pleaded not guilty.
Throughout 2020, a trial was repeatedly postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The charges were ultimately amended as part of a pretrial settlement offer.
Prosecutors said in court on March 30 that Dorsett had a previous involvement with a “vigilante” Facebook group where members posed as minors looking for sex. Dorsett allegedly answered one of the ads.
Dorsett is registered in Washington as a level II sex offender.
A level II classification indicates that an offender is a moderate risk to sexually reoffender within the community at large.
Judge Stow also issued a no contact order between Dorsett and his former girlfriend.
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