COEUR d’ALENE — A man who sexually abused a 12-year-old child will spend up to 30 years behind bars.

Charles D. Ross, 31, of Rathdrum, pleaded guilty in November to lewd conduct with a minor, a felony punishable by up to life in prison.

First District Judge John Mitchell sentenced Ross this week to 30 years in prison, with six years fixed and the remaining 24 years indeterminate, as well as credit for time served.

That means Ross will be eligible for parole in about six years.

An evaluation reportedly determined that he has a high risk to reoffend.

Ross was initially charged last year with three counts of rape, after a teen girl disclosed to authorities that Ross raped her on three occasions between 2016 and 2017.

She told police the rapes occurred when she was between the ages of 12 and 13 and Ross was around 26 years old.

She described Ross as a family friend.

In a recorded phone call, Ross reportedly acknowledged that he “had sex” with the girl and apologized to her.

“I didn’t know it was going to ruin the rest of your life,” he reportedly said.

Ross turned himself in after a judge issued a warrant for his arrest in May 2021. He later posted $50,000 bail and pleaded not guilty to all charges.

As part of a pretrial settlement offer, Ross pleaded guilty to lewd conduct. The charge alleged that Ross had “genital to genital” contact with a 12-year-old child on three occasions in 2017.

The rape charges were dismissed.

Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney Barry McHugh said prosecutors recommended a 40-year sentence.

Still, he said he believes Judge Mitchell appropriately evaluated the seriousness of Ross’ conduct, as well as the victim’s trauma and the community’s safety.

“The sentence will protect the community from Mr. Ross victimizing other children for a considerable period of time, and only then will he be considered for parole,” McHugh said.