COUER D’ALENE, Idaho — Police arrested a man who followed a young boy on a city bus and made sexual advances toward him, according to Coeur d’Alene Police.
On March 10, an 11-year-old boy was riding a Citi-Link bus through Coeur d’Alene when 41-year-old Zachary J. Destephano sat beside him.
The boy told police Destephano glanced at him multiple times during the bus ride, causing him to feel uncomfortable.
When the boy got off the bus, Destehphano followed and sat next to him inside the Riverstone station.
CDAPD said Destephano then typed a message out on his phone “indicating he wanted the boy to engage in a sex act” and showed it to him.
The boy told a bus attendant and Destephano quickly left the station.
Police soon found, interviewed and arrested Destephano.
He was charged with one count of sexual abuse of a minor under 16.
“The victim in this case did a great job of demonstrating awareness and taking prompt action by alerting an adult,” said CDAPD. “It’s vital for parents to engage in conversations with their children about personal safety and how to respond in difficult situations. This education empowers children to recognize potential dangers and seek help promptly, much like the victim did in this case.”
CDAPD said anyone with information about additional sexual-related crimes involving Destephano should contact the police department.
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