FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
| Date: | March 16, 2020 |
| Contact: | Emily Lowe Public Information Officer 208-287-7700 |
| RE: | State v. Steven Roach guilty plea |
BOISE – On Monday, Steven Roach pleaded guilty to first-degree stalking and sexual abuse of a child under the age of 16.
Mr. Roach was arrested by Boise Police in January and charged with stalking an elementary school student. He was originally charged with a single count of felony stalking, but additional charges were added after further investigation, including the charge of sexual abuse of a child under the age of 16. To the latter charge, Mr. Roach admitted to exposing himself to a minor child and masturbating in front of the child. As to the charge of first degree stalking, Mr. Roach admitted to following and watching or surveilling an elementary school student and driving by the child’s home or school.
His sentencing is set for 11:30 a.m. May 18, 2020 before Ada County District Judge Steven Hippler.
Mr. Roach faces up to 30 years in prison for these felony crimes. Idaho law allows a maximum penalty of 25 years for sexual abuse of a child under the age of 16 years and a maximum of five years in prison for first-degree stalking. As a result of pleading guilty to sexual abuse of a child under the age of 16, Mr. Roach will also be required to register as a sex offender. Under the plea agreement, the State is free to ask for up to the maximum sentence.