COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — A former Lake City High School accused of having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old student was sentenced to four months in jail on Friday.
The illicit relationship between William Joseph Keylon, 49, and the then-15-year-old girl took place beginning in 2012, according to the Coeur d’Alene Police Department. Keylon was placed on leave when he was arrested in 2022.
Keylon reached a plea deal with the Kootenai County Prosecutor’s Office prior to Friday’s sentencing.
In a release, the prosecutor’s office highlighted the risk of an acquittal in trial as the reason for coming to a deal. Prosecutors claimed they had evidence Keylon had engaged in similar conduct, and grooming behavior, with other students and former students.
The Kootenai County Superior Court denied use of that evidence. As with other sex crimes, the prosecutor’s office claims, the case was threatened by the private nature of the relationship.
Kootenai County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Molly Nivison recommended a 10-year prison sentence suspended for six months in a local jail and four years of probation, in exchange for Keylon’s guilty plea.
District Judge Susie Jensen sentenced Keylon to a 10-year prison sentence suspended for four months in jail and four years of probation.
The prosecutor’s office said they had the support of the victim when they negotiated the deal.
In a statement, Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney Stanly Mortensen thanked Nivison for prosecuting the case, and the police department for investigating it.
“The Kootenai County Prosecutor’s Office supports victims of crime, particularly children who have been abused by the hands of a trusted adult,” Mortenson said. “This type of conduct is among the worst in society, and we appreciate all who work to protect children. This office recognizes the hardship victims of abuse face when contemplating reporting of these crimes and thanks all of the women involved in this case and others for their bravery in coming forward.”
