Lavare faces additional charges, pleads innocence
CHLOE COCHRAN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 months AGO
LAVARE, DONALD JAMES
Courtesy of BONNER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
SANDPOINT — A registered sex offender who resides in Sagle was arraigned, and pled not guilty, to five additional sex offenses — outside of nine other charges he already pleaded not guilty to — on Dec. 31.
Donald J. Lavare, 53, entered the not guilty plea on one charge of sexual child abuse by soliciting a minor under 16 and four counts of lewd conduct with a minor. The newly alleged crimes, according to court records, occurred between 2016 and 2024.
He entered the plea from jail, where he currently resides on a $750,000 bond.
There are currently up to four victims in the case, where the indictment charging Lavare of the crimes indicates that the victims are not older than 10 years of age.
He could face life in prison if found guilty of the felonies, in addition to an enhanced sentence for being 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.
Court documents on the case against Lavare are sealed due to the sensitive nature of the cases.
In total, Lavare is facing 15 charges, including sexual abuse by soliciting a minor, lewd conduct with a minor, unlawful possession of a firearm and an enhancement charge for repeated sex offenses.
Due to the additional charges, Lavare’s trial was changed to a five-day setting, as opposed to the original four-day setting.
During the arraignment hearing, Lavare additionally requested a bond reduction, citing concerns of housing damage due to the weather. He also said that he would be better able to assist in his case if he were out of custody.
Prosecutor Louis Marshall, along with District Judge Susie Jensen, strongly disapproved of the reduction, stating that Lavare would have a lot of motivation to leave the county, and that he was a risk to the public.
He is expected to be tried on the charges Feb. 9.
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.
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