California man sentenced to up to 40 years for sexually assaulting minor in Boise
A California man will spend at least the next 12 years in prison after he was found guilty of engaging in lewd acts with a minor.
Steven Eugene Justice Jr., 39, was sentenced Friday to a prison term of up to 40 years, but he will be eligible for parole after serving 12. Justice was sentenced on one count of felony lewd conduct with a minor, misdemeanor resisting and obstructing officers, and a persistent violator enhancement.
A grand jury indicted Justice on the charges and enhancement last July. At the time of his arrest in Boise, Justice was a convicted felon from California with two convictions on his record. He was absconding from parole when he was arrested.
In January, an Ada County jury found Justice guilty of lewd conduct and of resisting officers. He pleaded guilty to the persistent violator enhancement, according to a press release from the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office.
Prosecutors wanted Justice to receive a life sentence, with a minimum of 20 years served before being eligible for parole. Fourth District Judge Jason D. Scott imposed the 40-year sentence instead.
“We appreciate the work the Ada County Sheriff’s Office did on this investigation, which helped my office ensure justice was served,” Ada County Prosecutor Jan M. Bennetts said in the release.
