Former county man pleads not guilty to four sex abuse charges

SANPOINT — A former Bonner County resident pleaded not guilty to charges related to an alleged lewd conduct offense that took place over an estimated one-to-two-year time span.  

Klaus Ronald Schroeder entered the plea at a Thursday arraignment hearing, where he appeared via Zoom.  

Schroeder, 22, is charged with two counts of felony rape-resists but resistance is overcome by force, one count of felony rape (attempted) and one count of felony lewd conduct with a child under 16.  

According to a probable cause affidavit, Bonner County officials became aware of the alleged assault in June 2024 when the victim called Bonner County Sheriff’s Office to report the assaults.  

A probable cause affidavit showed that Schroeder allegedly blackmailed and threatened the victim into performing oral sex and other actions on Schroeder. Documents also indicated that Schroeder allegedly touched the victim inappropriately, for arousal purposes, while viewing pornography. Court documents are unclear on how long the alleged sexual abuse lasted.  

If convicted, Schroeder would be required to register as a sex offender and could face up to life in prison and over $100,000 in fines.  

He is expected to appear in court for a week-long jury trial July 11, with a pretrial date of June 15.