Musician charged with fondling CdA teen’s feet

A professional musician who just released a CD on a national label is charged with sexual abuse for allegedly fondling the feet of a Coeur d’Alene teen.

At least nine teenage girls in Coeur d’Alene have reported that 26-year-old Nate Schierman asked for their socks and if he could rub their feet. Some of the teens, mostly middle school students, said Schierman offered them money in exchange.

Coeur d’Alene police say Schierman, also charged with a misdemeanor count of enticing a child, could face additional charges as the investigation continues. He was arrested Thursday on a charge of sexual abuse of a child under 16, and he remains in the Kootenai County Jail on $100,000 bail.

Though it’s the first time Schierman’s been charged with sex crimes as an adult, the St. Maries native was prosecuted as a teen in Benewah County for breaking into homes and stealing girls’ panties, according to police reports and court records. Post Falls police also investigated Schierman in 2005 after a teen who met the musician through Myspace.com reported he exposed himself to her and masturbated while rubbing her feet.

Schierman said he had a foot fetish, the teen told police.

Calls to Schierman’s attorney were not immediately returned Monday.

Coeur d’Alene police were investigating numerous reports of teens being solicited near Lakes Middle School when an anonymous tipster last week said Schierman may be responsible, according to police reports.

Schierman’s ex-girlfriend, the mother of his 2-year-old child, was also interviewed and told police that he “always had a foot fetish” and liked “socks, the smell of socks, the smell of feet and massaging feet,” according to Coeur d’Alene police reports. Kelin Bard told investigators Schierman would get socks from women by claiming he was on a scavenger hunt.

Several of the teens interviewed by police said that’s exactly what Schierman told them.

The felony charge filed against Schierman last week is for a Sept. 20 incident involving a 14-year-old who said she was walking near Lakes Middle School when Schierman approached in his vehicle.

Schierman said he was on a scavenger hunt and needed a pink bracelet or a pair of socks, the teen told police. The teen said she was wearing sandals, but her friend took off her socks and gave them to Schierman in exchange for $20.

She wanted money, too, the teen told police, so she offered Schierman her sandals for $20.

Schierman offered $100 if she would let him massage her feet, the teen said. She got inside his car and let him rub her feet, the teen said, but pulled away when Schierman allegedly started rubbing his genitals.

She left with $100 from Schierman, according to the police report.

Another group of teens relayed a similar experience near Lakes Middle School, with one teen receiving $5 in exchange for her socks.

Following the anonymous tip about Schierman’s possible involvement, police went to the girls with a photo lineup. Several of the teens picked Schierman’s photo out of the lineup.

Police attempted to interview Schierman on Thursday at his home on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Initially, Schierman said he would answer questions, according to police reports. He replied with “no comment” when police asked whether he had physical contact with any teens near Lakes Middle School.

After Schierman was arrested, police discovered a designer sock in the yard of his home.

The musician’s performances are considered popular with all ages.

According to his Web site, Schierman has performed more than 1,000 times and sold more than 22,000 records. The site says the acoustic musician has performed with the Dave Matthews Band, Pearl Jam and The Presidents of the United States of America.

His newest CD, “Risk,” was released this month and he was planning a West Coast tour to promote the album, according to the site.