Kuehn enters a not guilty plea

SANDPOINT — A Blanchard man has pleaded not guilty to six charges of sexual abuse against a minor. 

Donald Charles Kuehn III entered the plea at a Tuesday arraignment hearing. Kuehn seemed relaxed during the First District court proceedings as the charges were being read.  

Kuehn, 24, is charged with one count of lewd conduct with a child under 16 and five counts of willfully withholding child sexually exploitative material.   

When it was time for Kuehn’s legal representation to suggest a jury trial date, his lawyer requested a date “as far out as possible,” in an effort to reach a resolution, or plea deal, with the state before trial. If a resolution cannot be reached, Kuehn is scheduled to appear in court for pretrial hearing July 15, with a jury trial set for the week of Aug. 11. 

According to an affidavit in support of a warrant, Bonner County Sheriff’s office became aware of Kuehn’s alleged underage relationships after one of his victims reported his crimes by way of a 911 call.  

Court documents indicated that Kuehn’s first charge is related to the accusation of having sexual relations with several underage girls in the Blanchard area. A probable cause affidavit noted that his other five charges stemmed from alleged videos and pictures found on Kuehn’s phone of himself and his alleged victims engaging in sexual activities.  

Court documents also attested that alcohol and/or marijuana was allegedly in use during several of the alleged assaults.  

Anyone who suspects sexual abuse should contact the Bonner County sexual abuse 24/7 helpline at 208-265-3586. For an alternate helpline, call 208-263-6714.