SANDPOINT — A Bonner County resident facing sexual abuse charges against a minor has entered an Alford plea to an amended abuse charge.  

Brandon Sovan Veach, 21, was expected to start trial today on a felony charge of lewd conduct with a minor under 16. Instead, a plea deal was reached and a change of plea hearing was set, where Veach plead guilty via Alford to a felony injury to child charge. 

Under an Alford plea, a defendant admits no wrongdoing but concedes that a guilty verdict could result following a trial. The plea is treated no differently at sentencing than a standard guilty plea.   

As part of the pretrial settlement, the prosecuting and defense team will be allowed to make an open recommendation for Veach’s sentencing. The maximum penalty for pleading guilty to an injury to child charge is ten years in state prison.  

Veach will be sentenced Oct. 28.  

Veach was originally arrested Jan. 13 and held on an $80,000 bond. The case against him was continued twice before being dismissed without prejudice Feb. 19.   

When a suspect is dismissed without prejudice, the charges are dismissed but can be refiled at any point. Dismissal without prejudice can occur when a change needs to be made to the original charges or case.   

Veach was arrested a second time Thursday, Feb. 27, and held on a $200,000 bond after Bonner County Sheriff Daryl Wheeler posted on the department’s Facebook page that a search warrant had been issued. 

According to a probable cause affidavit, law enforcement allege Veach and Ramsey Rowman — Ramsey plead guilty to injury to child for the same incident — entered the victim’s bedroom, bringing alcohol and supplying it to her. At the time, Veach was the only one above the legal drinking age.   

A probable cause affidavit contends that witnesses saw Veach while he was in her bedroom, where she was unconscious during the time Veach committed the felony charged against him.  

Documents indicate that the pair fled the victim’s residence after being confronted by eyewitnesses.