Boise man accused of soliciting to have 7-year-old kidnapped, killed before trial
A 60-year-old Boise man remains in jail after authorities say he solicited to have a 7-year-old child and her parents kidnapped and killed.
Byron Ely, who is accused of sexually abusing the 7-year-old, is being held on suspicion of felony solicitation to commit a crime and felony lewd conduct with a child younger than age 16.
Ada County Deputy Prosecutor Katelyn Farley told a magistrate judge on Monday that the Boise Police Department received a tip from someone who said Ely solicited them for the killings. Ely allegedly offered that person two vehicles in exchange for killing the child and her parents.
The prosecutor did not expand on whom Ely solicited, and the criminal complaint did not offer any additional information.
Farley said Ely wanted it to look like a family member was molesting the child, according to an audio recording of Ely’s court appearance.
According to court records, Ely was indicted in July on suspicion of the sex crime. He posted a $100,000 bond.
His trial for the child sex crime is set to begin on March 17 in Ada County. His request to have the girl killed came just weeks before that.
On Feb. 28, a warrant was issued for his arrest on the solicitation to commit a crime charge.
“The state believes he is a grave risk to this victim and her family members,” Farley said when arguing for a high bail amount. “He is a risk to the community, and he has incentive to flee.”
Magistrate Judge Kira Dale agreed with Farley, setting the suspect’s bond at $5 million.
His next court appearance is set for 8:30 a.m. March 16.
This story was originally published March 3, 2020 at 9:48 AM.
