Shone Jem Bache, 47, of Fort Hall, was sentenced on Aug. 4 to 210 months in federal prison for abusive sexual contact with a child under 12 years of age, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis.
“I hope this outcome provides some closure and justice to the victim and her family,” said U.S. Attorney Davis. “I am grateful for the partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fort Hall Police Department and their dedication to identifying and investigating those who commit egregious acts of sexual abuse on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation.”
Court records show that the investigation began when a nine-year-old child disclosed to family members and school staff that Bache had sexually abused her on multiple occasions on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fort Hall Police Department corroborated aspects of these disclosures through physical evidence and witness statements.
“No punishment can ever undo the trauma inflicted on a child or erase the lifelong impact of these crimes, but we hope this offers some comfort on their journey toward healing,” stated Robert Bohls, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office. “Children deserve to grow up safe. Alongside our Tribal and law enforcement partners, the FBI will never stop fighting to protect the most vulnerable and bring offenders to justice.”
U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered Bache to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence; he will be required to register as a sex offender as part of his conviction. U.S. Attorney Davis commended both agencies involved in leading to Bache’s charge; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kassandra McGrady and Justin Paskett prosecuted this case.
These cases are brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation nationwide by coordinating federal, state, and local resources for prosecution efforts as well as victim rescue operations.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho focuses on enforcing federal laws through prosecutions across Idaho with about 60 staff members including assistant attorneys, paralegals, and administrative personnel; its jurisdiction extends statewide through main and branch offices in both urban centers and rural areas, according to its official website.