Prison ordered in assault case

SANDPOINT — A Priest River man was sentenced to at least two years in prison for the assault of a pre-teen boy.

Thomas John Calvin, 79, will serve at least two years in state prison for assaulting the youth in 2019.

Although Calvin was sentenced on one count of lewd conduct, court documents indicate that the victim in this case was assaulted on many occasions. A second charge of lewd conduct was dropped on Jan. 25, 2021, in exchange for the guilty plea, according to court documents.

Calvin has other victims who are considerably older than the victim in this case, according to court documents. In 2019, the older victims came forward to disclose their abuse, which prompted the victim’s father to report suspected sexual abuse to the Washington State Patrol, as his sons were the same age as the older victims when they were assaulted decades ago.

The victim in this case told his father of the abuse, which was similar in description to the abuse done to the older victims.

Calvin had a routine of grooming his victims by discussing sex education with them. Talks would escalate in sexual nature prior to any abuse taking place.

Calvin was arrested for abuse against the youngest victim on Nov. 6, 2020. He posted a $100,000 bond six days later.

Calvin was visibly emotional at his sentencing hearing on Friday, breaking out in tears on many occasions during the 45-minute hearing.

“I cannot express my sorrow that I hurt someone else. I live with daily regret. I grieve over it. I’m sorry that it happened,” Calvin said. “I really don’t have the strength anymore to do anything other than hate myself. I’ve spent some very dark days. I ask for forgiveness from the Lord. I pray for them. I’m sorry.”

First District Judge Barbara Buchanan expressed more emotion than typically seen at sentencing hearings.

“The people I have the most compassion for are your victims, Mr. Calvin. It is apparent to the court that this has been an ongoing problem. You’ve taken responsibility perhaps for this victim, but there have been other victims,” Buchanan said.

The First District judge then listed the factors of sentencing: deterrence, protection of society, rehabilitation, and punishment and retribution.

“There has to be a message sent to society. Our society demands that — to deter other people, to know that there are consequences and punishment,” she said. “While I recognize that you have no prior criminal record, and you’ve done good things in your life, as I’ve said many times, the average person that I sentence on child sexual cases has almost no criminal record, because these are crimes done in secret to people.”

Buchanan also addressed the pattern of behavior that Calvin employed before committing acts of abuse.

“There’s evidence of a lot of grooming behavior. These boys, they’re groomed, so they don’t say anything, they don’t tell,” Buchanan said. “These are crimes that occur in silence and they cause incredible damage.”

Buchanan told Calvin that she considered handing down a longer sentence than what was agreed to in pretrial mediation. However, Buchanan decided to follow the mediation agreement, handing down a sentence of two to eight years in state prison, citing Calvin’s deteriorating health and old age.

Calvin will also have to pay $1,145.50 in court costs, fines, and fees. Upon release, Calvin will have to register as a sex offender. He was taken into custody immediately after sentencing.

There are no court documents indicating that the older victims are pursuing charges against Calvin.

Everyone is encouraged to report abuse, even if it’s just suspected abuse. Those who come forward to report abuse, provided that they were not a participant, will be shielded from liability in the legal process.

In Idaho, there is no statute of limitations for cases involving the sexual abuse of minors. More information can be found at rainn.org or by calling 800-656-HOPE (4673). Local resources include LillyBrooke Family Justice Center at 208-265-3586, and the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office at 208-265-5525. All agencies listed can be reached 24/7.