Man jailed on child rape allegations

SANDPOINT — A Coeur d’Alene man was arrested Friday for repeatedly raping one minor and sexually abusing another while living in Bonner County.

Ernest Ray Johnson III is charged with lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor and sexual abuse of a minor. His bail is set at $100,000 and a preliminary hearing in the case is pending.

Johnson, 32, made an initial court appearance on Monday in magistrate court. Judge Barbara Buchanan sustained Johnson’s bail, ordered a public defender to represent him and barred him from contacting the alleged victims in the case.

A criminal complaint states Johnson raped one girl from 2008 to 2010, when she was between the ages of 8 and 11. He’s further accused of fondling another 11-year-old girl in 2010.

Buchanan issued a warrant for Johnson’s arrest following a June 12 probable cause hearing. A sheriff’s detective testified that the alleged rape victim disclosed the abuse to her doctor and a counselor, accusations which appeared to be supported by physical injuries and medical problems the girl had sustained over time.

Detective Phil Stella called the medical report “disturbing” during the hearing.

Johnson happened to be in court three days later, where his wife was appearing on a probation violation in a misdemeanor theft case. Buchanan apparently recognized him in the gallery and ordered him placed under arrest, according to court documents.

Johnson was taken into custody without incident. Johnson, a long-haul trucker, has prior addresses in Sagle and Ponderay, court documents indicate.