Siebers sentenced for sex crimes with minors

A Post Falls man was sentenced Friday to 30 years in prison for each of two counts of lewd conduct with a minor under 16.

Kristofer Jon Siebers, 51, pleaded guilty to both counts, one involving a 14-year-old boy that came to light after the child’s mother checked his cellphone, discovered evidence of the abuse and contacted authorities. 

Officers subsequently used a “burner phone” while posing as the child to reinitiate contact with Siebers. Believing he was texting with the child, Siebers agreed to meet with the child again for a sexual encounter. When Siebers arrived at the agreed upon location, officers arrested him and located personal lubricant in his pocket. 

During the investigation, it was learned Siebers had molested a different child between the years of 2015 and 2017.

Lewd conduct with a minor under 16 is a felony punishable by up to life in prison.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Molly Nivison recommended 35 years for each count with parole eligibility after 15 years. Nivison argued that these crimes occurred on multiple occasions, involved predatory, manipulative behavior, and that Siebers poses a continued danger to children with a lack of true accountability or remorse for his victims.  

District Judge Barry McHugh sentenced Siebers to 30-year prison sentences for each count with parole eligibility after 15 years. 

McHugh said there was no indication the conduct would have ceased if the investigation had not been initiated. 

“A 14-year-old does not have the wherewithal to consent. That is not possible and should have never happened,” McHugh told Siebers. 

In a press release, Prosecuting Attorney Stanley T. Mortensen thanked Molly Nivison for prosecuting the case and the Post Falls Police Department for investigating it.

“The Kootenai County Prosecutor’s Office supports victims of crime, particularly children who have been abused by the  hands of a trusted adult,” said Mortensen, in the release. “This type of conduct is among the worst in society and we appreciate all who work to protect children.”