Schneider Charged with Federal Hate Crime Indictment Alleges Assault Based on Victim’s Sexual Orientation

BOISE B Kelly Schneider, 23, of Nampa, Idaho, was indicted on January 10, 2017, by a federal grand jury sitting in Boise for willfully assaulting a person because of the person’s sexual orientation, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. The indictment, unsealed upon Schneider’s transfer into federal custody, alleges that Schneider’s actions resulted in the death of his victim, S.N. The U.S. Attorney’s Office does not identify victims by name in charging documents. Schneider’s arraignment is set for tomorrow, January 24, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Ronald E. Bush. A trial date will be set at that time.

The charges relate to an assault at Gott’s Point, near Lake Lowell, in Canyon County, in the early morning hours of April 29, 2016. Schneider is also charged in state court with first degree murder based on S.N.’s death.

The charge of willful assault based on sexual orientation, resulting in death, is punishable by up to life in prison, supervised release of not more than five years, and a $250,000 fine.

The Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crime Task Force, conducted the investigation. The case is being investigated federally by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

An indictment 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.