Local therapist accused of sexually abusing a vulnerable adult admits guilt

By Kaitlyn Hart

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    IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (eastidahonews.com) — A local therapist pleaded guilty to felony sexual abuse charges on Monday.

Robert Stahn, 64, pleaded guilty to felony sexual abuse or exploitation of a vulnerable adult.

Stahn initially pleaded not guilty, but after mediation between both parties, he agreed to a plea agreement in which he would plead guilty, and the prosecution agreed to recommend a probation period at sentencing.

The plea would be binding on the court, meaning that if District Judge Michael Whyte decides to accept the agreement, he cannot change the sentence. If Whyte chooses not to accept the agreement, Stahn can again change his plea.

During the change of plea hearing, prosecuting attorney Scott Davis told the court the victim could not negotiate during mediation because they are a nonverbal adult but that the victim’s mother participated in their place.

Stahn’s attorney, John Stosich, told the court that his client abused the victim, who was living in his home at the time.

“During that residency, Mr. Stahn did physically touch (the victim) in such a way that it caused (the victim) to change the way her clothing was, and that caused her to expose herself to Mr. Stahn, which was done in order to appeal to Mr. Stahn’s prurient desires, your honor,” Stosich said.

Stahn’s sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 21.

On Dec. 27, court documents say a detective received a letter from a woman containing a confession from Stahn that he had a history of “sexual deviancy.”

Stahn reportedly read the letter to the woman and gave her a copy.

He said the abuse had happened between March 2021 and June 2021.

In the letter, he talked about two vulnerable adults who were in his care for several years. The adults were both nonverbal and had the mentality of 18-month-olds.

Stahn admits in the letter that he used one of the victims as a “sexual object” in which he could be “aroused.” He admitted to watching her naked as she was changing her clothes.

Stahn said he created scenarios where he could see the victim in various states of undress.

“I did this approximately six times downstairs in order for me to feel sexual thrill,” he said in the letter.

When the detective spoke with Stahn, he confirmed he had written the letter and committed the acts.

Stahn is the founder of Well Spring Counseling in Idaho Falls. According to its website, he worked in the field of psychology and substance abuse for 40 years before retiring in 2023. Stahn started Well Spring Counseling in 1994 and continues to manage the business.

EastIdahoNews.com has previously interviewed Stahn as a source in multiple stories on mental health.

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