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Home > News > Kuna man convicted of sexual battery and lewd conduct charges could spend up to 12 years in prison

Kuna man convicted of sexual battery and lewd conduct charges could spend up to 12 years in prison

A 25-year-old Kuna man who admitted to having illegal sexual contact with three teenage girls since last summer will be evaluated in an Idaho Department of Correction program to see if he will go to prison.

Jakob Moench found out Wednesday he could spend up to 12 years in prison for a count of lewd conduct and two counts of sexual battery of a child between the ages of 16-to-17.

Fourth District Judge Patrick Owen sentenced Moench to three concurrent 12-year prison terms.

Owen placed Moench on a retained jurisdiction program — commonly known as a “rider” — which is an Idaho Department of Correction evaluation program that can last up to one year. When that is done, it will be up to Owen to figure out if Moench will serve a prison sentence or be placed on probation.

Ada County Sheriff’s deputies began their investigation in mid January after getting information from a third party that Moench had illegal sexual contact with a 15-year-old girl.

A few days later, the girl was reported missing as a runaway. Kuna Police found her at Moench’s house and took her home.

Detectives continued to develop evidence in the case and arrested Moench days later.

Shortly after Moench’s picture appeared on the Ada County Sheriff’s Office arrest page in January, a family member of a different girl called deputies to report a similar occurrence. Then a third victim came forward.

Moench eventually pleaded guilty to lewd conduct and sexual battery charges in March.

If Moench ends up going to prison, he must serve at least three years before he can ask for parole.