Prison ordered in abuse case

SANDPOINT — A Sandpoint man who pleaded guilty to repeatedly sexually abusing a minor over an extended period of time was ordered to serve up to 15 years in prison on Friday.

Dustin Oneal Walden will have to serve at least five years of the term before he can be considered for parole, according to the terms of a plea agreement in the case.

Walden, 38, was originally charged with lewd and lascivious conduct, sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 16 and rape. He was accused of engaging in sexual contact with a girl from 2003 to 2013, when she was between the ages of 3-13, a criminal complaint alleges. The alleged victim told Sandpoint Police that Walden had groomed her for years by exposing her to pornography and escalating degrees of sexual abuse, according to a probable cause affidavit that is being stricken from public view.

Walden entered into a binding plea agreement in which he pleaded guilty to rape. The agreement recommended a five- to 15-year prison term.

First District Judge Barbara Buchanan held off on binding the court to the agreement in January until she reviewed a psychosexual evaluation. She also wanted to know whether the teenage victim supported the agreement.

Bonner County Prosecutor Louis Marshall advised the court that the victim was not satisfied with the proposed custodial term, but also did not wish to endure a trial.

Buchanan agreed to bind herself to the pact because Walden took moral responsibility for his misconduct and also waived his right to appeal as part of the agreement.

The teen’s mother told the court that Walden’s misdeeds had a catastrophic effect on her family and questioned the genuineness of his remorse. She also noted that the abuse occurred daily over the years.

“It wasn’t a mistake. It was a decision,” she said.

The teen said some of her earliest memories were of being abused by Walden.

“What you were doing to me made me feel so isolated that I just wanted to die and make it stop,” the teen said.

Walden learned of her desperation, but was insufficiently moved to stop the abuse, the teen told Buchanan.

Marshall said the pain Walden inflicted on the teen was obvious, although he believes her particular resilience will help guide her through the trauma.

“She’s a very strong young lady,” said Marshall.

Walden’s defense counsel, Sandpoint attorney Daniel Rodriguez, said the onus is now on his client to continue down his deviant path or forge a new one by embracing sexual offender treatment.

“Time will tell us of his ultimate decision, but I ask the court to give him that opportunity,” said Rodriguez.

Walden declined to address the court before his sentence was imposed.

Buchanan said Walden’s lack of a significant criminal history and willingness to spare the family the rigors of a trial and appellate proceedings worked in his favor. She also noted that Walden himself is a victim of sexual abuse, although she said it did not excuse his conduct. Working against Walden at sentencing was the indelible impact to the victim.

“This is an extremely troubling case, Mr. Walden. It’s difficult for anyone to grasp,” Buchanan said.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.