More charges likely in case

SANDPOINT — The cases against a Bonners Ferry couple implicated in child molestation appear to be expanding.

Bonner County Prosecutor Louis Marshall moved to dismiss the felony cases against Ernest Ray Johnson III and Heidi Julia Johnson on Thursday. The cases were dismissed without prejudice, which allows charges to be re-filed at a later date.

First District Judge Barbara Buchanan granted the motion to dismiss, court records show.

Marshall told the court that additional allegations against the couple surfaced after Ernest Johnson was charged with two counts of lewd and lascivious conduct and Heidi Johnson was charged with child endangerment at the felony level.

“We anticipate filing numerous charges,” Marshall said.

Ernest Johnson, 33, is free on $75,000 bond. Heidi Johnson, 30, is free on $35,000. Their separate five-day jury trials were set to start on Aug. 12.

Ernest Johnson is accused of repeatedly molesting a girl in Bonner County from 2008 to 2011, when she was between the ages of 8 and 11. He’s also accused of engaging in lewd conduct with another 11-year-old in 2010.

Julia Johnson failed to protect the children from her husband, court records allege.

The nature of the new allegations was not disclosed, although court documents indicate there may be additional sexual abuse victims.