Caldwell police officer faces federal charge for allegedly hitting a man while on duty
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Hoadley Series
The FBI began investigating at least two Caldwell Police Department officers in 2021. So far it’s led to four federal charges against one Caldwell police officer: Lt. Joey Hoadley, who since has been fired. Here is our coverage since the investigation began.
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A Caldwell police officer has been charged with striking someone and depriving him of his constitutional right to be free from unreasonable force.
Federal prosecutors on Thursday charged Lt. Joseph A. “Joey” Hoadley with deprivation of rights under the color of law for striking a man, listed as B.H. in a criminal charge filed in U.S. District Court in Boise.
According to the criminal charge, Hoadley is accused of hitting the man on March 30, 2017.
The FBI did not immediately confirm whether the charge is related to its investigation of the Caldwell Police Department for reasons neither the city nor the FBI have disclosed. According to documents obtained by the Idaho Statesman, FBI Agent Ryan O’Neil is investigating Hoadley. O’Neil did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.
Bianca Stevenson, spokesperson for the city of Caldwell, said Friday that Hoadley is on administrative leave from the department. She declined to comment on the charge against him.
The city announced March 17 that the FBI was investigating certain officers in the Police Department. The city said the FBI was not investigating Police Chief Frank Wyant. They also said that despite comments on social media, Wyant was not asked to resign. Stevenson said Friday that Wyant was not in the office.
Records obtained by the Statesman show that six officers have resigned from the Caldwell Police Department since October, including Capt. Devin Riley. Amber Walker, Kenneth Branstetter, Ryan Bendawald, Anthony Rojo and Sean King submitted resignation letters.
The reasons for the resignations were not clear, though some letters hinted at problems within the department.
In her letter, Walker said she would “pray for continued improvements within the city and department.”
Rojo wrote, “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking this past weekend and talking with my family. Its hard to write this but I don’t think I can continue with Caldwell PD.” Later he writes, “I wish things could be different, as I was very excited for this opportunity.”
The charge against Hoadley is a misdemeanor. The criminal charge shows Hoadley was offered a plea agreement. His attorney, Charles Peterson, did not return a phone call Friday. The document shows Hoadley has an arraignment and plea agreement hearings at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 31.
Hoadley began his career with the Caldwell Police Department in 2001, his biography on the city website said. He serves as a lieutenant in the investigations unit and until recently has been a spokesperson for the department, often issuing news releases on arrests and other matters.
His arrest was first reported by KTVB.
Reporter Alex Brizee contributed.
This story was originally published March 25, 2022 at 4:21 PM.
