Monday, February 16, 2026
39.0°F

Lavare pleads not guilty

CHLOE COCHRAN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 months, 3 weeks AGO
by CHLOE COCHRAN
| October 28, 2025 1:00 AM

SANDPOINT — A man with prior sex offense convictions and new allegations of additional crimes, including unlawful possession of a firearm, pleaded not guilty Wednesday, Oct. 23. 

Donald J. Lavare, 53, entered the not guilty plea on two charges of sexual abuse by soliciting a minor, one count of lewd conduct with a minor and six charges of unlawful possession of a firearm.  

Lavare is scheduled to appear in court Feb. 9 for trial, with a pretrial conference slated for Feb. 2 

If found guilty, Lavare could be facing an enhanced punishment for being convicted of first-degree sexual abuse and second-degree rape of a minor in 1996 while living in New York.    

He is currently being held at the Bonner County Jail on a $750,000 bond.  

According to the New York sex offender registry, Lavare resided in New York, Indiana and Idaho.   

Court documents on the case against Lavare are sealed due to the sensitive nature of the files but indicate that Lavare is being charged for allegedly soliciting two minors, aged six and seven, to participate in a sexual act.  

ARTICLES BY CHLOE COCHRAN

Zoning commission denies proposed marina expansion
February 14, 2026 1 a.m.

Zoning commission denies proposed marina expansion

After a six-and-a-half-hour meeting, the Bonner County zoning commission unanimously denied a conditional use permit to expand a commercial marina off Lakeshore Drive in Sagle.

Solid Waste reports slow sites, increased phone calls
February 13, 2026 1 a.m.

Solid Waste reports slow sites, increased phone calls

During Bonner County's solid waste department update, officials noted a continued uptick in calls from residents following last year’s sticker and fee increase, even as overall waste tonnage declines.

County approves facilities updates, bridge design contract
February 14, 2026 1 a.m.

County approves facilities updates, bridge design contract

Bonner County commissioners accepted several agenda items for county infrastructure improvements during Tuesday’s business meeting, including approving safety updates and a bridge design contract.