Former Idaho County deputy admits to sexual abuse of child, is sentenced to prison
Second District Judge Gregory FitzMaurice sentenced a former Idaho County sheriff’s deputy to up to 15 years in prison Monday for sexual abuse of child younger than age 16, according to the Idaho Attorney General’s Office.
Nicholas J. Harris, 34, pleaded guilty to the charge in September after he admitted to sexually abusing an underage girl in December 2018 in Idaho County, according to a news release from the AG’s office.
The judge retained jurisdiction in the case, so Harris will serve in a rider treatment program. After he completes that program, the judge could allow Harris to serve the rest of his sentence on probation. However, Harris has an underlying sentence of 10 to 15 years in prison that the judge could impose if Harris is unsuccessful in the program.
He will be required to register as a sex offender.
Harris was initially charged with two additional counts of lewd conduct with a minor under 16, but they were dismissed pursuant to a plea agreement.
Harris admitted that he committed various acts of sexual abuse against the same child in two states over four years, according to the AG’s office.
This story was originally published December 11, 2019 at 7:14 AM.
