
Bonner's Ferry, Idaho: At a scheduled preliminary hearing last Wednesday, April 21, William "Bill" Blumenauer, a former volunteer football coach and Boy Scout Troop Leader pleaded guilty to five counts of lewd conduct towards a minor.
Earlier this year, on February 3, he had pleaded not guilty to the 11 counts filed against him before District Judge Barbara Buchanan.
As a result of the plea, the remaining six counts against him will be dropped.
Each count of lewd conduct with a child under the age of 16 carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $50,000 fine.
When initially arrested on January 12, Blumenauer was charged with four counts. On January 22, after being appointed a public defender, he waived his right to a preliminary hearing which would have required the state to prove it had reason to believe he had committed the crimes he was charged with.
On February 1, an additional seven counts were filed against him by Boundary County Prosecutor Andrakay Pluid. The charges were reported to span 13 years according to KHQ.
Blumenauer will be sentenced on July 21, 2021.