COEUR d’ALENE — A judge will consider whether to separate the charges against a former legislative candidate accused of fondling a child and raping a woman.

Sean A. Barron, 52, of Post Falls — publicly known as Alex Barron — is charged with sexual abuse of a child under the age of 16 and with rape, both felonies.

Barron ran unsuccessfully in 2020 for the District 3 seat in the Idaho Senate.

He served as secretary for the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee from 2016 to 2020.

Kootenai County Sheriff’s deputies responded Sept. 30 to a report that Barron had inappropriately touched a 12-year-old child.

The child said Barron groped her buttocks multiple times. She told police she felt uncomfortable being around Barron.

A woman told police about an incident she said occurred the same night that he allegedly fondled the child.

She said Barron groped her and attempted to initiate sexual intercourse with her. He allegedly bit her hard enough to bruise.

She said she yelled at Barron to stop, but he overpowered her and raped her.

Documents filed by the state include photos of bruises and bite marks on the woman’s legs.

The woman said she confronted Barron the next day. He allegedly denied knowledge of any events that occurred the night before.

When contacted by police on Oct. 1, Barron reportedly said he believed he had been drugged at a Post Falls bar on the night of the alleged incidents and did not remember anything.

He later said he had “hazy” memories of placing his hands on the 12-year-old child’s buttocks, according to court documents.

He told police he had apologized to the child and sought counseling.

Barron acknowledged that the woman confronted him about the alleged rape, police said. He reportedly characterized the event as consensual.

Police arrested Barron. He later posted $35,000 bail.

A judge issued a bench warrant for Barron’s arrest on Oct. 12, after he failed to appear in court for a hearing.

The warrant was quashed the next day; Barron reportedly did not receive notice of the hearing.

Barron’s attorney filed a motion last week to sever the sexual abuse charge from the rape charge, on the grounds that the charges have “different factual allegations” and involve two different accusers.

If the motion is granted, the charges would be split into two cases that would have separate jury trials.

A judge has not yet ruled on the motion.

A preliminary hearing in the case scheduled for today has been postponed.

Barron is next expected to appear in court on Jan. 6.

In a separate matter, Barron was cited for misdemeanor domestic battery in 2018. Prosecutors later dismissed the charge.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual abuse, call Safe Passage Violence Prevention Center’s 24-hour hotline: 208-664-9303.