ELK BEND, Idaho (CBS2) — A Lemhi County man has been sentenced to between 20 and 40 years in prison after, prosecutors said, sexually abusing four children over two decades.
In August 2024, a Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office deputy began investigating allegations that William Wegner, Sr., 40, committed lewd and lascivious conduct involving a minor under the age of 16 in the Elk Bend.
As the investigation and subsequent criminal case continued, investigators identified additional alleged criminal acts dating from the 1990s through 2023. Wegner was charged with four counts of violating Idaho Code 18-1508, lewd conduct with a minor child under 16. The charges stemmed from incidents involving four separate victims and spanned from the early 2000s through 2023.
Wegner ultimately entered an Alford plea to two of the four charges. With this plea, Wegner didn’t admit guilt, but acknowledged the prosecutor would present enough evidence, had a trial occurred, to earn a conviction.
On June 30, 2026, District Judge Michael Whyte sentenced Wegner to the custody of the Idaho Department of Correction for a unified term of 40 years, consisting of 20 years fixed followed by 20 years indeterminate.
The Lemhi County Sheriff and deputies shared this statement:
We also wish to recognize the courage and resilience demonstrated by the victims throughout the investigation and criminal proceedings. Their willingness to come forward and participate in the judicial process was instrumental in bringing this case to its conclusion.
Anyone with information regarding the sexual abuse of children or exploitation of children is encouraged to contact local police, the Attorney General’s ICAC Unit at 208-947-8700, or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678.
