SANDPOINT — A Bonner County man convicted of lewd conduct was ordered Thursday to serve up to 25 years in prison.

David Gavin Blakeney, 63, will serve seven-to-25 years for two counts of lewd conduct from events taking place in Bonner County starting in 2011 when the victim was a child. Blakeney accepted a plea deal on June 3, during which he pled guilty to two charges of lewd conduct.

The abuse started in 2011 when she was still wearing diapers, the victim later recalled during a forensic interview.

According to court documents, Blakeney explained the contact was due to the need to apply diaper rash cream.

“Frankly, I don’t believe that for a second.” said First District Judge Lamont Berecz during Thursday’s sentencing, “I think that’s nonsensical. I don’t think you would plead guilty to two counts that could get you life in prison for applying diaper rash cream.”

“When you plead guilty, you told me you did it for a sexual purpose. I specifically asked about that in your plea,” he said. “I’m at a loss to understand how this case isn’t just about how long you go to prison for, and if you ever get out.”

According to court documents, Blakeney would abuse the victim multiple times per month from 2011-2016 at his home. According to court documents, he also made the victim perform sexual acts.

Blakeney is also being prosecuted in the state of Michigan for similar charges, some involving other victims.

The victim told her mother about the abuse in 2020 after being put into time out for misbehaving, according to court documents. Soon afterward, the victim’s mother reported the abuse to Michigan authorities and to the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office.

On New Year’s Eve 2020, Blakeney was arrested in Bannine County, Michigan, by the Bannine County law enforcement on a charge of criminal sexual conduct, second degree, and a charge of accosting, enticing, or soliciting a child for immoral purpose.

Blakeney was later extradited by the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office on Aug. 24 with no set bond.

A pre-sentence report, filed two months prior on June 29, recommended a six- to nine-month sentence followed by probation. In the report, investigators said Blakeney was unlikely to reoffend, and would benefit more from treatment than from incarceration.

“Asking for treatment means owning up to the problem,” said Berecz, “You don’t even acknowledge or admit doing anything wrong. I don’t see why you would be seeking treatment, I don’t know what you would get from it without recognition to what you’ve even pled guilty to.”

Berecz said he could hand down a sentence that could range from probation to life in prison.

“I most certainly am sentencing you to prison, it’s just a matter of how long,” said Berecz before a minute-long pause.

“I’m going to impose a sentence that would keep him in prison until he’s 70 years old.”

Blakeney will serve seven-to-25 years with seven of them to be served in the Idaho State Department of Corrections. Blakeney was given 265-days credit for time served.

This is Blakeney’s only case in the Idaho criminal justice system.

In Idaho, there is no statute of limitations for cases involving the sexual abuse of minors. More information can be found at rainn.org or by calling 800-656-HOPE (4673). Local resources include LillyBrooke Family Justice Center at 208-265-3586, and the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office at 208-265-5525. All agencies listed can be reached 24/7.