Pocatello Man arrested for Using Interstate Communication to Hire Someone to Harm His Ex-Wife

POCATELLO - John Kent Davis, 65, of Pocatello, Idaho, was arraigned today by United States Magistrate Judge Larry M. Boyle on charges of interstate communication of a threat of bodily injury, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced.  A federal complaint was filed in United States District Court on August 13, 2015.  Davis was arrested at his home on August 17, 2015, in Pocatello without incident.

The complaint alleges that on July 29 and August 3, 2015, the defendant used a form of interstate communication to try and hire someone to harm his ex-wife.  The individual the defendant hired was actually an undercover FBI agent.  The defendant met with the undercover agent telephonically and in person and paid money to the undercover agent while directing the undercover agent to where his ex-wife lived in northern Idaho, and telling him how badly he wanted her hurt.  

The case is being investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and North Idaho Violent Crimes Task Force (NIVCTF).

A complaint is a means of charging a person with criminal activity.  It is not evidence.  The person is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The maximum penalty, upon conviction, for charges of interstate communication of a threat of bodily injury is up to five years imprison, and a $250,000 fine.