Man charged with child molestation
KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 2 months AGO
Watkins
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. | August 8, 2021 1:07 AM
POST FALLS — A man is facing felony charges after police said he molested multiple children.
Kenneth L. Watkins, 41, of Liberty Lake, Wash., is charged with lewd conduct with a minor under 16, attempted lewd conduct with a minor under 16 and sexual abuse of a child, all felonies.
The charges stem from May, when Watkins’ former girlfriend told police he had molested her children, who were under the age of 13.
Watkins reportedly lived for about three years with the woman and her children from a previous relationship.
During that time, the children told police that Watkins touched them inappropriately and forced them to perform sex acts on multiple occasions.
He also allegedly exposed himself to the children and showed them pornographic videos.
Watkins’ ex provided police with text messages in which Watkins acknowledged the abuse, according to court documents.
Police conducted interviews with the children and others before bringing charges against Watkins in late July.
In Idaho, lewd conduct with a minor under 16 is a felony punishable by up to life in prison.
A judge issued a $500,000 warrant for Watkins’ arrest this week.
Kootenai County sheriff’s deputies took him into custody Thursday night.
In a separate matter, Watkins was charged last month with first degree stalking, a felony, after police said he repeatedly violated a protection order that forbids him from contacting his ex.
Watkins’ ex described an incident in June where Watkins allegedly approached her in a store, followed her to her car and tried to prevent her from driving away.
He also allegedly had items delivered to his ex’s home and made multiple attempts to contact her via social media.
The stalking case is pending.
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