Lewd conduct suspect jailed

| April 25, 2013 7:00 AM

SANDPOINT — A Sagle man was arrested last Thursday on allegations that he repeatedly molested a preteen girl in Bonner County.

James LeMar Parton is charged with the lewd and lascivious conduct with a child under the age of 16. Magistrate court Judge Lori Meulenberg set Parton’s bail at $200,000 on Friday and appointed a public defender to represent him, court records show.

Meulenberg also entered an order forbidding him from being in contact with the girl or her family while the case is pending.

Parton, 47, molested the girl from April 2012 to 2013, charging documents allege. The girl was between the ages of 11 and 12 when the alleged abuse occurred.

A preliminary hearing on the felony charge is set for May 1. A defense motion to reduce Parton’s bond is also slated for consideration during the hearing.