News04

The Daily Inter Lake

A Flathead Valley man pleaded guilty to sexual assault Friday after reportedly confessing to assaulting about a dozen children.

John Lewis, 43, was in Montana State Prison when he made the confession. He was serving a term on a 2001 sentence for criminal endangerment and failing to register as a sex offender. He reportedly was convicted of sexual assault in 1992 in Seattle.

"He has a history of this," said prosecuting Deputy County Attorney Dan Guzynski.

Lewis admitted Friday to sexually assaulting two children between 1997 and 1999. They were girls of elementary-school age. The assaults were rolled into one charge.

Guzynski said he had a slim framework for a case against Lewis, but it was fortified when sheriff's detective Jeanne Landis went the extra mile.

"She took it upon herself to go down to Montana State Prison" and talk to Lewis, Guzynski said. Lewis was at a point in sex-offender treatment in which he is encouraged to admit his behavior. He reportedly confessed willingly to Landis.

Despite Lewis' cooperation, Guzynski will recommend to District Judge Ted Lympus a sentence of 50 years in prison with none suspended.

"I believe he will be hurting children" if he is released, Guzynski said. "The only way to protect the public is to incarcerate him."

Sentencing is scheduled for September.