Man accused of sexual abuse of a minor

SANDPOINT — A preliminary hearing is pending for a Bonner County man accused of sexually abusing a teenager earlier this year.

Andrew Lennard Hilsher is charged with sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 16. He posted a $25,000 bond following his arrest, court records show.

Hilsher is accused of touching a girl’s genitals in 2017 or 2018, when the girl was between the ages of 14 and 15, according to the criminal complaint.

The teen told a classmate about the incident, which triggered an Idaho Department of Health & Welfare investigation, court documents indicate. The teen said Hilsher initiated a conversation about masturbation and proceeded to offer her instruction on the act, a probable cause affidavit alleges. The teen said Hilsher subsequently demonstrated the acting using her hand and his, the affidavit said.

Hilsher, 50, admitted to having an inappropriate conversation with the teen, but denied touching her, according to court documents. Hilsher added that medication may have played a role in his decision to have the conversation, the affidavit said.

Hilsher is free on a $10,000 bond while the case is pending. A hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to justify a trial in 1st District Court is set for Wednesday in Bonner County Magistrate Court.