5 notable criminal justice stories from Idaho in 2025

Criminal justice in Idaho in 2025 has seen several significant developments. The Idaho corrections system has requested millions to improve security after a high-profile prisoner escape involving an ambush at a Boise hospital. The Idaho Supreme Court upheld the rape conviction of former state lawmaker Aaron von Ehlinger, keeping him in prison after a contested appeal.

In Nampa, a teacher faces two felony counts of sexual battery against a minor. Police also arrested the last suspect in a Boise armed robbery, who was recognized while bicycling, wrapping up a headline-grabbing case from February.

At least one person was shot during an incident at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise early this morning, March 20, 2024. Boise police said they are searching for two suspects, one of whom is an escaped Idaho Department of Correction prisoner. By Sarah A. Miller

NO. 1: IDAHO CORRECTIONS SYSTEM SEEKS MILLIONS TO ‘ADDRESS VULNERABILITIES’ AFTER PRISONER ESCAPE

The Idaho Department of Correction requested a nearly $2 million one-time expense to add new technology, equipment and staff after an ambush last year left three correctional officers injured. | Published February 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alex Brizee

Attorney Jon Cox, left, sits at the side of his client, former state Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger, at the Ada County Courthouse for a hearing on his motion to retry or acquit his case on Aug. 25, 2022. The motion was denied by 4th District Judge Michael Reardon. By Sarah A. Miller

NO. 2: IDAHO SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS FORMER STATE LAWMAKER’S RAPE CONVICTION. HE’LL REMAIN IN PRISON

“We conclude that the evidence admitted in the record was sufficient to sustain a finding beyond a reasonable doubt by the jury that Von Ehlinger committed the crime of rape,” the court’s decision read. | Published February 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alex Brizee

NO. 3: SW IDAHO MAN USED PELLET-FIRING AIR RIFLE IN FATAL SHOOTING. HERE’S HIS PRISON TERM

The two men had argued many times on Melba property, the shooter told law enforcement. | Published February 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Carolyn Komatsoulis

Canyon County Courthouse, pictured Feb. 22, 2024. By Sarah A. Miller

NO. 4: IDAHO TEACHER HELD ON $1 MILLION BOND AFTER POLICE SAY HE SEXUALLY ASSAULTED A STUDENT

“I have done nothing wrong and have always acted in the best interest of the students,” the teacher told police. | Published February 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alex Brizee

The Durham Police Department’s Special Victims Unit has arrested and charged three individuals in connection with a thorough child abuse investigation that began in August 2024. By Dreamstime

NO. 5: POLICE ARREST FINAL SUSPECT IN BOISE ARMED ROBBERY CASE AFTER HE IS RECOGNIZED BICYCLING

The 50-year-old Boise man had been wanted since Feb. 27. | Published March 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sally Krutzig

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.