CALDWELL -- Canyon County Prosecutor John Bujak says 40-year-old Harold Rutledge of Nampa has been given a seven-year prison sentence for unlawfully touching an 11-year-old girl at the Nampa Recreation Center.
Judge Renae Hoff ordered Rutledge to serve at least three years for the crime of battery with intent to commit a serious felony.
Prosecutors say the crime occurred on June 14, 2009, while the girl and her brother had gone swimming at the center. Rutledge approached the girl twice and touched her with the intent to commit lewd conduct.
"Mr. Rutledge poses a risk to the community, especially in light of his statements that he went to the rec center with the intent to find a girlfriend and was ultimately attracted to an 11-year-old girl," said Deputy Prosecutor Erica Kallin.
Prosecutors were seeking a 20-year sentence with five years fixed.
The court retained jurisdiction for six months, ordered Rutledge to complete sex offender programming and drug and alcohol counseling.
He must also register as a sex offender in Idaho, and have no contact with the victim or any children.
