Baker City man who committed lewd act in front of minor back in jail for attempted sodomy
By Joe Hathaway on Wednesday, March 27th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER CITY — A Baker City man who was arrested last summer for committing a lewd act in front of a minor is back in jail for another serious sex offense.
75-year-old Robert Conklin was arrested Monday, March 25 at 2209 Grove St. Apt. 5. He was booked into the Baker County Jail on one count of attempted second-degree sodomy.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Conklin asked a 13-year-old boy to get into his car on Sunday, March 24 at Geiser-Pollman Park. Conklin allegedly told the boy he had puppies in the car he wanted the boy to see.
The minor ran off to call his father and police. The boy then pointed to the suspect’s vehicle, which was parked nearby.
Police said they contacted Conklin, who admitted he had tried to speak to a young boy near the park, and either have the boy get into his car or go back to his house “to be friends.”
Detectives then interviewed again on Monday, March 25, where he admitted that he planned to take the boy to his house to have sex with him. Conklin was then arrested.
Conklin was previously arrested on July 17, 2023, after he allegedly committed a lewd act on himself after asking a 16-year-old boy to watch. The boy then hit Conklin with a skateboard and ran to call police.
Conklin pleaded guilty to public indecency and was sentenced to 30 days in the county jail and 18 months of probation.
He was sentenced to serve seven days in jail with the remaining 23 days on house arrest or with an ankle monitor.
