Idaho man pleads guilty to sexually abusing relatives

A southwestern Idaho man who sexually abused young family members has pleaded guilty to five counts of lewd conduct with a minor under the age of 16.

Forty-eight-year-old Lester Kester of Caldwell pleaded guilty Wednesday in 3rd District Court.

He’s scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 23 following a psychosexual evaluation. He faces up to life in prison, depending on the evaluation.

Lester’s wife, 50-year-old Sarah Kester, last month entered an Alford plea to felony injury to a child for failing to report the sexual abuse of the family members by her husband. She faces up to 10 years in prison at her Jan. 16 sentencing.

Sarah Kester told authorities her religious beliefs prompted her to pray for her husband instead of calling police.