Lewd conduct trial to start

SANDPOINT — A Sagle man accused of repeatedly molesting a teenage girl over a two-year period is scheduled to be tried in 1st District Court this week.

Dean Duane Stevens Jr. is charged with lewd conduct with a minor. He could be imprisoned for life if convicted.

His four-day trial is set to start on Monday.

Stevens, 38, molested the girl from 2004 to 2006, according to charging papers. The alleged abuse came to light when the victim, who was between the ages of 14 and 15 at the time, reported it to her counselor, court records show.

Stevens is free on bail while awaiting trial. A court order bars him from contacting the teen.

Stevens’ bail was set at $50,000 when he was charged last year, although it was later reduced to $2,500 after he waived his right to preliminary hearing and submitted to polygraph examinations, court records said.

Stevens’ trial has been postponed seven times over the last 14 months because of attorney scheduling conflicts, unavailable witnesses and other complications, according to the court documents.