SANDPOINT — A Bonner County resident has plead not guilty to child sex abuse charges that occurred during a three-year timespan. 

Edwin Brown, 67, is facing felony child sexual abuse for permitting a minor under 16 to witness an act of sexual conduct, felony exploitation of a child and felony destruction of evidence.  

At an arraignment hearing June 10, Brown appeared out of custody to enter a not guilty plea on all charges, instituting the court to set a date for trial. Brown is expected to appear in court for a pretrial hearing July 5, with a 3-day trial set for Aug. 24.  

County law enforcement became aware of the alleged abuse when the victim’s mother called to report that Brown had been sexually abusing her 13-year-old daughter through video chat.  

According to a probable cause affidavit, the victim, who is disabled due to a disease, was about 11 when she first had cellular contact with Brown. The two attended the same physical therapy, as Brown suffered a spinal cord injury that put him in a wheelchair.  

Brown video chatted and called the girl regularly over the span of three years, according to court documents, and allegedly exposed himself and exhibited sexual behavior while on video calls. 

During a police interview that was summarized in a probable cause affidavit, Brown said that he “did not have any real explanations for his behaviors,” and that “he felt Satan had taken over and made him do those things.” 

In that same interview, Brown told county officials that he was aware of the victim’s disabilities. 

At the time police obtained a search warrant for several pieces of Brown’s property that related to the abuse, Brown allegedly told officials that he burned any evidence because he knew he was “in serious trouble” and the first thing that “came to his mind was to clean the house.” 

If convicted of the alleged charges, Brown could face up to 45 years in jail and/or a $35,000 fine. He would also be required to register as a sex offender.