Former MSD employee charged in battery case

WALLACE — Last week was a busy week for the Shoshone County justice system as several cases made its way through both the district and magistrate courts.

Among the cases heard was that of Constance King, who made her first appearance in front of Magistrate Judge Keisha Oxendine last week.

King, 29, has been charged with sexual battery of a minor child 16 or 17 years of age.

According to court documents, the charges stem from an incident that occurred between December 2021 and January 2022 where she allegedly solicited a minor to participate in sexual activity at her home in Mullan.

The victim was a student in the Mullan School District — where King held employment until earlier this year.

The felony charge carries with it a possible maximum sentence of up to 25 years in prison, a potential $50,000 fine, a potential $5,000 civil penalty, as well as mandatory registration as a sex offender.

A person commits sexual battery by engaging in or soliciting sexual contact with a child who is 16 or 17 years old when the defendant is at least five years older — with the intent of arousing, appealing to or gratifying the lust, passion, or sexual desires of such person, minor child or third party.

Administrators from the Mullan School District were contacted by the News-Press and asked if King’s employment with them had ended due to the allegations. The district was also asked if any crimes may have been committed on MSD property and if they had any statements regarding student safety.

They declined to comment.

King’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 28 at 8 a.m. and will be held via Zoom.