FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
| Date: | April 19, 2024 |
| Contact: | Emily Lowe Public Information Officer 208-287-7700 |
BOISE – Michael Ralstin, 36, was sentenced to serve up to life imprisonment for sexually abusing a minor multiple times.
In January of 2024, a jury convicted Mr. Ralstin of felony lewd conduct with a child under 16, and sexual abuse of a child under 16. On Thursday, Ada County District Judge Annie McDevitt sentenced Mr. Ralstin to up to life imprisonment with 25 years fixed in prison before being eligible for parole.
On multiple occasions between 2015 through 2016, Mr. Ralstin sexually abused an eight-year-old child who was known to him. During the defendant’s sentencing hearing, Judge McDevitt said the crimes were “accomplished by force and violence.”
Judge McDevitt also acknowledged how extremely brave it was for the victim to come forward.
“The abuse of a child in any form will not be condoned or tolerated in our community. This sentence ensures justice and will protect the community from this defendant,” said Ada County Prosecutor Jan Bennetts. “I want to thank the St. Luke’s CARES (Child at Risk Evaluation Services) forensic examiner, the Boise Police Detective who investigated this crime, and my trial team for their hard work on this case.”
St. Luke’s CARES located at the Ada County Victim Services Center provides medical evaluation, treatment, counseling, and other community support services for children experiencing abuse. Children are primarily referred to CARES by law enforcement, the court, or the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. More can be learned here: St. Luke’s CARES (Children at Risk Evaluation Services) (stlukesonline.org). Idaho is a mandatory report state, meaning if you suspect abuse or neglect of a child has occurred or is occurring, you are required within 24 hours to report it to your local law enforcement agency or to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.