Press Release from Kootenai County Prosecutor
Carl Jay Williams, 33, was convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Child Under the Age of Sixteen. Between the years of 2019 and 2024, Williams sexually abused a minor child between the ages of 4 and 9 years old on numerous occasions. The abuse included Williams engaging in manual-genital and/or genital-genital contact with the minor child. The abuse often occurred while the child was sleeping or falling asleep and included Williams touching the child’s genitals and placing the child’s hand on his (Williams) penis. When confronted about his conduct, Williams admitted that on several occasions the child told him “No” but that he convinced the child that “it was okay.” Sexual Abuse of a Child Under the Age of Sixteen is a felony, punishable by up to 25 years in prison. Williams was sentenced on March 3, 2025, by District Judge Barry McHugh.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Molly Nivison recommended a 25-year prison sentence with parole eligibility after 15 years, noting that the abuse was significant, that Williams violated the child’s trust, and that Williams’ conduct would have a profound and lasting impact on the child.
At sentencing, District Judge Barry McHugh sentenced Williams to a 20-year prison sentence with parole eligibility after 1 year. Williams was arrested on September 10, 2024, and remained in custody through sentencing. Williams was also given credit for the time he served in the Kootenai County jail—meaning Williams will be eligible for parole in approximately 6 months.
Prosecuting Attorney Stanley T. Mortensen thanks Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Molly Nivison for prosecuting the case and the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office and Coeur d’Alene Tribal Police Department for investigating the case. The Kootenai County Prosecutor’s Office stands with victims of abuse and will continue to work tirelessly to seek justice on their behalf and protect society from sexual predators.
