Boise psychiatrist sentenced in domestic violence case. He still faces rape charge
A Boise-area psychiatrist was placed on supervised probation after grabbing his wife in October 2024.
Alexander Wills, who owned PERMA Mental Health & Ketamine Clinic, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor domestic battery last month, court records showed. As part of a plea deal with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office, a misdemeanor charge of destruction of a telecommunication line was dismissed, according to court records.
Wills’ clinics, which offered treatment for substance use and mental health disorders, had offices in Boise, Nampa and Twin Falls. His offices were permanently closed last year.
Magistrate Judge Laurie Fortier sentenced the 45-year-old to two years of supervised probation and to over two months in custody at the Ada County Jail. She also ordered him to undergo a domestic violence and a drug and alcohol evaluation.
But he could end up spending a lot more time behind bars.
Determining Wills’ sentence for the misdemeanor left Fortier, who presides over cases in Ada County, in a “little bit of pickle,” she said in court, because he’s still facing charges for the alleged sexual assault of a patient.
Officers with the Boise Police Department arrested Wills in late September after the former female patient alleged that he raped her, according to the agency. He was charged with felony forcible penetration by use of a foreign object and is expected to stand trial next month.
If he’s found guilty, he could face up to life in prison.
Judge Fortier explained in court that, depending on whether Wills is convicted of the felony, she’ll modify the terms of his probation.
Idaho’s medical board, in an emergency order, suspended Wills’ license after the state’s licensing board filed a complaint against him, citing the “nature and severity” of the criminal charges. Wills’ potential to abuse or exploit his patients, particularly female patients, added to the medical board’s decision, the eight-page order read.
The complaint from the state’s licensing board accused Wills of engaging in a “pattern of unprofessional behavior” with two female patients. The complaint, and subsequent order, were published on the licensing board’s website.
Wife says she didn’t feel protected by the prosecution
For Wills’ wife, the prosecution’s handling of the case had a “profound impact” on their family, she said in court. Their issues could have been addressed through counseling, his wife said.
“The charges were pursued and prolonged in a manner that escalated far beyond the reality of our situation,” she said. “It has felt as though decisions were driven by procedural momentum rather than a balanced assessment of facts, family context and outcomes.”
The prosecution’s actions caused “irreparable” damage to their family, she said, adding that her husband pleaded guilty only because continuing to fight the case would exhaust their remaining financial resources.
“Systems designed to protect can cause harm,” his wife said.
But Ada County Deputy Prosecutor Austin Payne pushed back on the wife’s statements. He played an audio recording in court of her emotional 911 call to police, during which she told the dispatch operator to please help her and her children, saying, “My husband is going to kill us.”
This incident wasn’t the first time police responded to their home, Payne said, adding that officers had been there the night before. Wills’ defense attorney agreed that the 911 call was troubling, particularly for his client, who had to listen to the fear in his wife’s voice.
“I do take accountability for what happened on that day,” Wills said in court. “I recognize that my future requires ongoing change.”
