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Man accepts plea deal in sexual abuse case

KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years AGO
by KAYE THORNBRUGH
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. | October 12, 2023 1:05 AM

COEUR d’ALENE — A Coeur d’Alene man accused of sexually abusing a child has accepted a plea deal.

Darrin W. Maynard, 57, of Coeur d’Alene, was charged in July with three counts of sexual abuse of a child and one count of lewd conduct with a minor under the age of 16, all felonies.

Court records show that Maynard has accepted the state’s offer to dismiss the lewd conduct charge, which carries a maximum life sentence, as well as two of the three counts of sexual abuse, in exchange for Maynard’s guilty plea.

The remaining sexual abuse charge is punishable by up to 25 years in prison.

In July, Coeur d’Alene police responded to Maynard’s residence after a girl reported that Maynard had molested her while she stayed over at the home. The girl told police that Maynard had touched her inappropriately multiple times.

When questioned by investigators, Maynard denied any inappropriate physical contact. He also said he had been at work, away from the home, when the alleged abuse occurred, according to court records. Other household members told police that wasn’t true.

Police initially cited Maynard with sexual battery, a misdemeanor, but upgraded charges after further investigation.

Maynard turned himself in. He has remained in jail on $500,000 bail since July. In September, a judge denied Maynard’s request to have his bond reduced.

This is not the first time Maynard has been accused of sexually abusing a minor.

In 2012, Maynard and his wife, Tomi, were accused of sexually assaulting a teen girl. The couple ultimately pleaded guilty to the amended charges of felony injury to a child.

They were both sentenced in 2013 to eight years in prison, with those sentences suspended. The pair served 60 days of jail time each and were both placed on supervised probation for five years.

A judge denied a motion to withdraw the guilty pleas and retroactively dismiss the cases in 2020. A new motion to dismiss was filed in July, but vacated after Maynard’s arrest.

Maynard’s sentencing has not yet been scheduled.

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.

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