Jacquot may be taking plea deal
SANDPOINT — A plea agreement has reportedly been reached in the case of a Bonner County attorney accused of molesting a teenage girl.
David Charles Jacquot is pleading guilty to one count of transportation of a minor across state lines to commit a criminal sex act, according to Gordon Hodge, who testified as government witness in the case.
Hodge said he was advised by the FBI this week that Jacquot accepted the plea agreement as a third jury trial was pending in U.S. District Court in San Diego.
Two prior trials in Jacquot’s case ended in mistrials after jurors were unable to reach unanimous verdicts. His third trial was set for April 10.
Assistant U.S. Attorney W. Mark Conover did not respond to a request for comment on the plea agreement, which has not yet been posted to the federal courts online database for the district of southern California.
A change of plea hearing is set for Tuesday, according to court records.
A federal grand jury indicted Jacquot on three counts of transporting a minor across state lines in 2010. Jacquot, 49, allegedly flew with the teen from Spokane, Wash. to San Diego on several occasions in 2006. The girl was between the ages of 15 and 16.
Jacquot has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings and his defense counsel argued that his client’s accuser fabricated the allegations.
Jacquot’s indictment came a few months after the alleged victim disclosed the sexual abuse to a counselor. Shortly after the disclosure, Jacquot’s home in Vay was destroyed by mysterious fire. Jacquot’s wife and son escaped the blaze and Jacquot was found crawling in a field, unable to speak, court documents state.
At the time of the fire, Jacquot was awaiting trial on charges of filing false tax returns. As a result of the pending charges, Jacquot was permitted to have one firearm for personal protection, but the fire uncovered a stockpile of ammunition and weaponry, including a 40-millimeter grenade launcher and a 9-mm Glock pistol with an obliterated serial number.
Forensics experts were able to raise the serial number and traced the weapon to a former law partner in California who reported the gun stolen, court documents state.
No charges have been filed in connection with the weapons violations or the suspicious fire. The tax fraud case against Jacquot is still pending.
Hodge said federal authorities told him that Jacquot would be sentenced to time served. Jacquot has been incarcerated for about two years while his case was pending.
“He would be a convicted felon and have to register as a sex offender,” said Hodge.
Those circumstances would prohibit Jacquot from possessing a firearm and could also bring an abrupt end to his legal career. A felony conviction can be grounds for suspension or disbarment of a practicing attorney, according to Idaho Bar Commission rules.
Hodge, who is in close contact with the alleged victim, said she does not object to the plea agreement.
“If we went to trial again, he would be liable to get off scot-free, so this is bird in the hand instead of one in the bush,” said Hodge.