Man pleads guilty to lewd conduct with 12-year-old victim
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IDAHO FALLS — A man accused of molesting a 12-year-old girl has pleaded guilty.
Bryan Brown appeared in court Wednesday, March 21 to plead guilty to one felony count of lewd conduct with a minor child under 16. The charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Brown plead guilty as part of a plea agreement where the prosecution agreed to recommend no more than 10 years fixed. Brown’s defense is free to argue for whatever sentence they see fit. Brown is scheduled to be sentenced on May 16.
Brown was arrested in October 2017. Documents show the victim reported the abuse to her middle school counselor and said the last incident occurred on Oct. 8, 2017.
She told law enforcement Brown had raped her nearly every weekend for the past three years while at a relative’s home, according to court documents, and she felt forced to allow the abuse because she didn’t want to get in trouble.
A sexual assault nurse examiner revealed the victim had significant scarring in her genitals – something unusual for a 12-year-old that could indicate extensive sexual activity.
When confronted by law enforcement, “Bryan initially denied and eventually fully admitted to have sexual intercourse with (the victim) both the day previous and on multiple other occasions over the past year,” according to court documents.
“Bryan was advised that (the victim) stated these sexual acts took place over the course of the past three years. Bryan advised that (the victim) was not lying but added most of the sexual contact took place over the course of the past year,” the documents read.