Man jailed on lewd conduct charges

CLARK FORK — A three-week investigation at Elk Mountain Academy by the Bonner County Sheriff's Special Victims Unit led to the arrest of a Clark Fork man on Wednesday.

Louis W. Ladenburger is charged with two counts of engaging in lewd conduct with a minor, Bonner County Sheriff's officials said on Wednesday. Additional information about the charges was not released.

Ladenburger, whose age was not available, is expected to make an initial court appearance today in the magistrate division of 1st District Court, where a determinations on bail and defense counsel will be made.

Undersheriff Charlie Dennis said the SVU interviewed no less than 17 students at the boarding school in the Cabinet Mountains. It's the special victims unit's 105th investigation to date, Dennis said in a news release.

Elk Mountain is a therapeutic school for high school-age boys struggling with substance abuse and other problems.