Molestation suspect jailed

SANDPOINT — A North Idaho man who evaded arrest on child molestation charges has turned up in a Los Angeles County jail.

Nathaniel Robert Howell was booked into the facility on Thursday, according to  the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. Online records do not specify whether he was arrested or turned himself in.

Howell, 32, was the subject of a $150,000 arrest warrant out of Kootenai County. He is charged with one count of lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor and five counts of sexual exploitation, according to the Coeur d’Alene Police Department.

Howell’s extradition to Idaho is pending.

Howell has been a fugitive since late last year. He fled from Bonner County sheriff’s deputies on Dec. 27, 2011. Howell was apparently visiting relatives at a home in the 1500 block of South Sagle Road when he saw deputies arrive and fled into the woods before a perimeter could be established.

The North Idaho Violent Crimes Task Force has been hunting for Howell since he gave deputies the slip.