Idaho Judge Rejects Plea Deal in Coach’s Sexual Abuse Case

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (AP) — An eastern Idaho judge has rejected a plea deal for a former Blackfoot High School soccer coach charged with molesting a player.

The Post Register reports the rejection of the deal on Friday means Alisha Yeates can withdraw her March 18 guilty plea to one count of sexual abuse of a minor. The plea deal had dropped the more severe charge of lewd conduct with a child younger than 16.

Court records say Yeates began a sexual relationship with a 12-year-old girl who denied the abuse occurred and the case was closed. But then in April the girl, now 17, told a school counselor she'd been abused by Yeates. Sexual abuse of a minor has a possible 25-year prison sentence.