Prison ordered in sex abuse case

SANDPOINT — A 48-year-old Washington state man convicted of sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl was ordered Thursday to serve up to 12 years in prison.

Thomas Allan Buchite will have to serve at least two years of the sentence before becoming eligible for parole, according to the terms of the sentence imposed by 1st District Judge Barbara Buchanan.

Buchite, formerly of Newport, was charged with lewd and lascivious conduct, but the charge was reduced to sexual abuse of a child under the age of 16 during plea negotiations. The misconduct occurred last August, charging papers allege.

Buchite entered an Alford plea to the reduced charge. Under such a plea, a defendant admits no wrongdoing but concedes they could be convicted if the case went to trial. An Alford plea also enables a defendant to enter into plea negotiations.

The alleged victim’s mother told the court that Buchite’s misconduct has had a devastating impact on her daughter and their family, and left them living “moment to moment.”

Bonner County Prosecutor Louis Marshall recommended a two- to 12-year term. Chief Public Defender Isabella Robertson alternatively recommended retained jurisdiction or a one- to six-year term.

When jurisdiction is retained, a defendant serves up to a year in prison before a judge decides if further imprisonment is warranted.

Buchite had no remarks for the court before the sentence was handed down.

Buchanan noted that Buchite failed several full-disclosure polygraph examinations, had been in denial about his misconduct and blamed the victim at one point.

“I believe the state’s recommendation is fair,” Buchanan said.

Buchite was given credit for 191 days of pretrial incarceration and ordered to pay $1,125 in restitution and $1,140 in fines and costs.