Two Idaho men will spend years in prison after kidnapping a teenage boy, binding him with zip ties, covering his body with a bag, then using his phone to send breakup texts to his girlfriend while he lay helpless.
The attackers restrained the victim, shocked him with a Taser, and beat him during the ordeal. Court records show the men then accessed the teen’s phone and messaged his girlfriend, ending their relationship on his behalf while he remained captive.
According to prosecutors, the victim “had no idea what was coming” when the attack began. The assault combined physical violence with calculated cruelty designed to isolate the teenager from his support network.
Both defendants pleaded guilty to kidnapping charges. A judge sentenced them to significant prison terms, though specific sentence lengths were not detailed in available court documents.
The case highlights a disturbing trend in violent crimes where attackers use victims’ digital devices to manipulate their social connections. By sending the breakup messages, the perpetrators attempted to delay any search for the missing teen and severed his relationship with someone who might have raised the alarm.
Idaho law treats kidnapping as a serious felony, particularly when victims suffer physical harm during their captivity. The state’s sentencing guidelines allow for enhanced penalties when violence accompanies abduction, which applied in this case given the Taser use and beating.
Defense attorneys did not contest the core facts during sentencing proceedings. The men’s guilty pleas spared the victim from testifying about the attack in open court.
The victim’s current condition and whether he suffered lasting injuries from the assault were not disclosed in court filings. Prosecutors typically withhold such details to protect crime victims’ privacy, especially when they are minors.
Law enforcement officials credited quick investigative work with building the case against both defendants. The digital evidence from the victim’s phone, including the unauthorized messages sent during his captivity, provided prosecutors with clear proof of the defendants’ intent to harm and isolate their victim.
The convictions mean both men will serve their sentences in Idaho’s state prison system. Upon release, they will face supervised probation and restrictions typical for violent felons, including limits on contact with the victim and his family.
Key Points
- Two Idaho men received prison sentences for kidnapping a teen, binding him, and shocking him with a Taser during a violent attack
- The attackers accessed the victim’s phone and sent breakup messages to his girlfriend while he remained restrained and helpless
- Both defendants pleaded guilty to kidnapping charges, with digital evidence from the unauthorized messages strengthening prosecutors’ case
