Sex abuse suspect to be arraigned

SANDPOINT — A Montana man is scheduled to be arraigned next month on allegations he fondled a preteen girl while he was a pastor at Priest Lake several years ago.

Stephen D. Bicknell is charged with sexual abuse of a child under the age of 16, an offense punishable by up to 25 years in prison. Bicknell, a 57-year-old from Libby, is free on bond while the case is pending.

Charging papers said Bicknell fondled the girl’s breasts when she was between the ages of nine and 10. The abuse occurred between 2005 and 2006, when Bicknell was between the ages of 54 and 55, the complaint said.

The alleged abuse came to light when the girl disclosed it to her mother earlier this year, according to court documents. Bicknell was the girl’s pastor at the time.

Bonner County Sheriff’s Det. Phyllis Jay contacted Bicknell after he relocated to Montana and he allegedly apologized for his conduct, records state.

Bicknell waived the right to a preliminary hearing in the magistrate division of 1st District, clearing the way for his arraignment on the felony charge. Bicknell was to be arraigned earlier this month, but it was postponed because his Coeur d’Alene defense attorney, Clark Peterson, had a scheduling conflict with a Kootenai County case he is handling.