SANDPOINT — At a change of plea hearing Thursday, a registered sex offender who resides in Sagle has entered a guilty plea for charges related to the sexual abuse of multiple minors.  

Donald James LaVare, 55, entered the guilty plea as part of a pretrial settlement agreement, where he pleaded guilty to one count of lewd conduct with a minor under 16. 

As a result of the agreement, three charges of sexual abuse by soliciting a minor, five counts of lewd conduct with a child and six counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon were dismissed through an amended charging document. 

LaVare will be sentenced June 18. 

At his sentencing hearing, Prosecutor Louis Marshall is expected to recommend a 35-year sentence for LaVare, 25 years fixed and 10 years determinate. His defense attorney will be allowed to give their own recommendation during the hearing.  

When an individual is charged with determinate prison time, they are required to serve that amount of time in prison. If they are eligible after that time is up, the individual may be granted parole. If they are not eligible for parole, they will be required to serve indeterminate time, if given any.   

Court documents indicate the charge LaVare pleaded guilty to included sexual abuse of four minors between 2016 and 2025, with their ages ranging from six to 10 years old.  

Due to the sensitive nature of the case, court documents on the matter are sealed.  

He currently remains at the Bonner County Jail on a $750,000 bond. 

Prior to his move to Sagle, LaVare was convicted of first-degree sexual abuse and second-degree rape of a minor in 1996 while living in New York.  

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

Anyone who suspects sexual abuse should call the Bonner County Sexual Abuse 24/7 hotline at 208-265-3586.