Sentencing on hold in sex case

SANDPOINT — Sentencing has been postponed for a Bonner County man who entered an Alford plea to resolve allegations he had sexual contact with a teenage girl.

The defense and the state filed a motion to continue Dean Duane Steven Jr.’s June 15 sentencing hearing for mental health reasons, court records show.

The motion followed psychosexual and psychiatric evaluations done in preparation for Stevens’ sentencing.

In April, Stevens entered the plea to a reduced charge of aggravated assault on the second day of his 1st District jury trial on a lewd conduct charge. Under the terms of his plea, Stevens admits no wrongdoing, but concedes he could be convicted.

Defendants also avail themselves of Alford pleas in order to enter into plea agreements with the prosecution. However, such pleas are treated no differently than a regular guilty plea at sentencing.

Stevens, 38, faces up to five years in prison, although the agreement in his case recommends 90 days in jail with a chance at work release. The court is not required to adopt the recommendations.

Stevens was accused of engaging in lewd and lascivious conduct with the girl between 2004 and 2006, when she was between the ages of 14 and 15.