SANDPOINT — A Blanchard man has pled guilty to an amended sex abuse charge relating to a December 2024 incident. 

Donald Charles Kuehn, 24, was arrested in December of last year for one felony count of lewd conduct with a minor and five felony counts of possessing child sexual exploitative material. As part of a plea agreement, Kuehn pled guilty to an amended charge of sexual abuse of a minor under 16.  

Kuehn’s demeanor was calm as he pled guilty to the reduced charge, a 180-degree change from previous hearings where Kuehn was seen skipping out of the court room.  

For pleading guilty to sexual abuse of a minor, Kuehn could face up to 25 years in jail and/or a $50,000 fine. As part of the pretrial settlement, the prosecutors in the case recommended retained jurisdiction and an open recommendation for the underlying sentence.  

Retained jurisdiction, commonly known as a rider, is available as a sentencing option to judges in Idaho. Individuals sentenced to a rider remain in an Idaho Department of Corrections facility but remain under the judge's jurisdiction while they receive necessary treatment and programming. A successful completion of a rider can result in supervised probation. If someone does not complete a rider, they may be sentenced to prison.  

Kuehn is tentatively scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 14.  

According to an affidavit in support of a warrant, Bonner County Sheriff’s office became aware of Kuehn’s alleged underage relationships after one of his victims reported his crimes by way of a 911 call.   

Court documents indicated that Kuehn’s first charge is related to the accusation of having sexual relations with several underage girls in the Blanchard area. A probable cause affidavit noted that his other five charges stemmed from alleged videos and pictures found on Kuehn’s phone of himself and his alleged victims engaging in sexual activities.   

Court documents also attested that alcohol and/or marijuana were in use during several of the alleged assaults.   

Anyone who suspects sexual abuse should contact the Bonner County sexual abuse 24/7 helpline at 208-265-3586. For an alternate helpline, call 208-263-6714.