Florida’s man obtains prison for lascivious behavior

Coeur d’Alene – A man that prosecutors said they sexually abused two teenagers will spend time in prison.

Jeppsnel Saint Louis, 36, from Miami, declared himself guilty in November two charges of lascivious conduct with a child under 16, both serious crimes.

The first district judge Ross Pittman sentenced Saint Louis on Tuesday to 15 years in prison, with eligibility for probation after five years.

The charges come from last April, when prosecutors said Saint Louis picked up two teenagers in Post Falls and transported them to a motel, where he provided them with alcohol and dedicated himself to sexual activities with them.

One of the adolescents positive for a sexually transmitted infection after the incident, according to Kootenai County prosecutor’s office. Saint Louis tested positive for the same STIs, prosecutors said.

“This is a crime that affected two young people and will probably affect them for the rest of their lives,” said fiscal lawyer Art Verharen.

The mother of one of the teenagers spoke in court on behalf of her daughter. She said that the abuse of Saint Louis aggravated the trauma that her daughter had already experienced, which led to worsened in school.

The teenager is receiving mental health treatment as a result of the incident last April, said her mother.

Pittman emphasized that, under the Idaho law, a child under 16 cannot consent to sex with an adult. He said it was clear that San Luis damaged adolescents through their actions, making a prison sentence appropriate.

“The severity of its crime cannot be exaggerated,” he told Saint Louis after transmitting the sentence.

Saint Louis’s defense lawyer said he is the holder of the Haiti green card that can face deportation after he completes his prison sentence. While Pittman acknowledged this, he said he created prayer without taking into account the possible impact on Saint Louis’s immigration state.

If you or someone you know are experiencing domestic violence or sexual abuse, call the help line of the SAFE Violence Prevention Center: 208-664-9303.