Ex-Caldwell Police Lt. Joey Hoadley takes the stand as trial nears its conclusion
READ MORE
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.
Expand All
Fired Caldwell Police Lt. Joey Hoadley eagerly took the witness stand Thursday and for the first time publicly described his account of events that led to the FBI’s probe against him.
The 14-person jury tasked with determining whether to convict Hoadley heard from over a dozen witnesses as of midday Thursday, including seven current and former Caldwell officers aside from Hoadley.
Hoadley on Thursday told the jury the FBI investigation, and subsequent reactions from his colleagues, negatively affected his work.
“I was really starting to not like my job as a law enforcement officer,” Hoadley said. He added that he felt “abandoned” by the Caldwell Police Department.
Hoadley was indicted on four federal charges, which included an allegation that he struck a 49-year-old Caldwell man, referred to as B.H., while arresting him in 2017. He’s also been charged with destruction, alteration or falsification of records in a federal investigation, tampering with a witness by harassment, and tampering with documents.
During his over four-hour testimony, Hoadley physically demonstrated how he says the incident between him and B.H. occurred. He testified that he was holding B.H. with his right arm and holding B.H.’s wallet and identification card in his left hand when B.H. began to pull away. Hoadley said B.H. attempted to pull away twice, and then he grabbed B.H. by his shirt collar with his left hand and forced him to the ground.
Hoadley on the stand denied that he punched B.H. when asked by his attorney, Charles Peterson.
“I used the least amount of force necessary,” Hoadley said.
Hoadley was fired in May after a career that spanned more than 20 years with the Caldwell Police Department. He joined the department in 2001 and was one of the founding members of the department’s Street Crimes Unit, which was formed in 2004. Prior to his dismissal from the department, Hoadley had risen to the rank of lieutenant and was in charge of the investigation unit.
The FBI probe also includes a now-resigned Caldwell sergeant. The details of allegations against him have not been disclosed.
Hoadley’s attorney says witness not credible
B.H. was arrested on suspicion of three felonies during the March 30, 2017, incident that spurred the FBI’s investigation, which alleged Hoadley used excessive force. B.H. pleaded guilty to one felony charge: illegal possession of marijuana with the intent to deliver.
B.H. said Hoadley struck him in the face, and that the force caused him to fall to the ground. Former Officer Eduardo Ibarra — whose credibility was questioned by Peterson — also testified that Hoadley struck B.H. in the face, and that B.H. landed next to Ibarra’s feet.
Ibarra during his testimony said he was watching Hoadley lead B.H. down to the sidewalk from the corner of his eye when he heard a bang and saw Hoadley strike B.H.
“Our job is to protect the people, not hit them while they’re handcuffed,” Ibarra said.
Hoadley denied that account.
Ibarra worked with the Caldwell Police Department for close to 12 years, according to Ibarra’s Idaho POST Academy employee profile, which the Statesman obtained through a public records request. He resigned from the department in lieu of termination on June 19, 2017 — less than three months after the alleged assault of B.H.
Approximately one month after the incident with B.H., Hoadley sent an email to his supervisor, Capt. Devin Riley, and wrote that they needed to talk about Ibarra regarding a complaint the department received and “other issues we’ve had with him.” Ibarra, who worked under Hoadley, was investigated after Hoadley flagged issues with him to superiors. Hoadley testified that Ibarra’s conduct was “unbecoming.”
Hoadley denies threatening Caldwell officer
On June 29, 2021, Hoadley facilitated a meeting between Officer Chad Hessman, who was employed by Caldwell police but worked with the Canyon County Narcotics Unit, and the sergeant under FBI investigation, who worked with Caldwell’s Street Crimes Unit. There were “ongoing issues” between the units, according to Hoadley and an email presented in court.
Hessman said Hoadley and the sergeant “ambushed” him, and that he asked for his supervisor from the narcotics unit. According to a court document, Hessman also said Hoadley threatened him and told him to remember the patch on his shoulder and who he worked for. Hessman said he took the comment as an indication he needed to show loyalty to Hoadley and the sergeant.
Hoadley during his testimony told a different story. He said he told Hessman that he worked for the Caldwell Police Department, not Canyon County, and that Hessman should look at his sleeve if he needed a reminder of that. But Hoadley never reprimanded Hessman.
“Hessman was indignant during the entire conversation and spoke to (the sergeant) and myself almost as if we were his subordinates,” Hoadley wrote in a July 1 email to Riley.
The defense rested its case Thursday. The 14-person jury is expected to hear jury instructions and closing arguments Friday before heading into jury deliberations.
This story was originally published September 22, 2022 at 1:49 PM.
