Venue change is sought in lewd case

SANDPOINT — A North Idaho man awaiting trial on lewd conduct charges is seeking a change of venue and the disqualification of 1st District Judge Barbara Buchanan.

Both motions in Ernest Ray Johnson III’s case are scheduled to be taken up during a hearing on June 16, court records indicate.

Johnson, 34, was indicted on six counts of lewd conduct with minors from 2004 to 2012. Johnson’s wife, Heidi. was likewise indicted and convicted of three of the counts during a jury trial in April.

Heidi Johnson, 32, is scheduled to be sentenced on June 15. She faces up to life in prison.

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