NorthwestNovember 5, 2015

RALPH BARTHOLDT OF THE TRIBUNE

A 20-year-old Clarkston man who pleaded guilty to having sex with a 14-year-old girl will attend a prison sexual rehabilitation program, a 2nd District judge ordered Wednesday in Lewiston.

Brendon M. Slusher is accused of taking part in the sexual abuse of the 14-year-old who lived with him in January at Lewiston after she ran away from home.

According to court records, the girl allegedly sent revealing cellphone images to Slusher and the two had a sexual relationship that involved another man, 35-year-old Justin T. Squier. Squier has pleaded guilty to one felony count of lewd conduct with a child in the case. His sentencing is set for Dec. 10.

Slusher, who pleaded guilty to one count of lewd conduct with a child younger than 16 and failure to register as a sex offender, both felonies, was sentenced to a minimum of three years in prison. But 2nd District Judge Jeff M. Brudie retained jurisdiction in the case, meaning Slusher will be placed in the prison rehabilitation program for up to a year. He could be placed on probation if he successfully completes the program.

Brudie acknowledged that Slusher broke off the relationship with the girl after he learned of her age, and that the teenager allegedly encouraged the sexual acts.

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"Some of these situations you didn't create; they presented themselves to you," Brudie said. "You took advantage of them."

A psychosexual evaluation showed Slusher was moderately amenable to community rehabilitation, Brudie said. One of the criteria measured was his ability to pay for rehab, but he lost his job and wasn't able to make the costly payments. Brudie said he felt Slusher was a risk "to some segment of the population out there."

Slusher was taken into custody following the hearing and taken to the Nez Perce County Jail, where he will be turned over to the Idaho Department of Correction.

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Bartholdt can be contacted at rbartholdt@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2275.

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