LEWISTON, ID – A 28-year-old Lewiston man has pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges related to child sexual abuse and exploitation in Nez Perce County District Court.

On Tuesday, Conrad J. Hughes entered guilty pleas on one count of Child Sexual Abuse by Soliciting a Minor Under 16 and two counts involving Child Sexually Exploitative Material. The original charges include an additional three charges related to Child Sexually Exploitative Material.

As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors have agreed to seek a 30-year prison sentence with the possibility of parole after 18 years. Judge Michelle Evans has ordered a pre-sentence investigation and a psychosexual evaluation. Sentencing is scheduled for January 9, 2026.  Despite the deal, Hughes’ defense can still argue for a lighter sentence.

Hughes’ case originated in April 2025 when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a report from the messaging platform Kik regarding the upload and potential distribution of illegal content. Investigators traced the activity to Hughes’ residence on 10th Avenue in Lewiston and seized electronic devices containing numerous images and videos of minors, some estimated to be as young as 8 years old.

Court documents indicate Hughes admitted to long-term involvement with illegal online activity, including using multiple email accounts and VPN services to conceal his identity. He also acknowledged engaging in sexually explicit conversations with individuals he believed to be underage and expressed remorse for his actions.  Hughes reportedly cooperated with investigators.

Under Idaho law, each count of sexual abuse of a child under 16 can carry a sentence of up to 25 years, and sexual exploitation of a child carries a maximum sentence of 30 years.  The charges in the case include five counts related to

As of Wednesday morning, Hughes remained in custody at the Nez Perce County Jail.  He is being held on a $750,000 bond.