Man accused enticing minor

SANDPOINT — A Bonner County man is awaiting arraignment for allegedly enticing a minor over social media.

Brandon Michael Watterson is scheduled to make an initial appearance on the felony charge in Bonner County Magistrate Court on Friday, court records show. Watterson is free on $50,000 surety bond while the case is pending.

The allegation against Watterson, 37, came to light in January, according to a Bonner County Sheriff’s Office probable cause affidavit. A couple discovered messages of a sexual nature on their daughter’s Instagram account and reported Watterson to authorities in Boundary County, the affidavit said. The father of the girl, who is under 16 years old, confronted Watterson and he allegedly admitting sending the inappropriate messages but insisted he had no physical contact with the girl.

But that claim was partially undermined by the girl, who said she and Watterson had kissed, the affidavit said. The girl also stated that the two had exchanged nude photos.

Authorities in Bonner County conducted a pretext call, an investigative technique in which law enforcement records a phone call between the alleged victim and an accused defendant. Watterson allegedly admitted making sexually suggestive remarks and exchanging nude photos, the affidavit said.

Enticing a child over the internet is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Watterson’s prior criminal record consists of prior drunken driving convictions in Bonner County in 2018, 2013 and 2005, according to Idaho’s iCourt database.

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