North Idaho teen granted probation after multiple theft and violence convictions | Idaho

COEUR D'ALENE – A North Idaho teenager received probation despite multiple convictions for theft, violence and weapons violations over nearly three years, according to the Kootenai County District Attorney's Office.

The minor, whose identity is protected, first got into trouble on September 7, 2021, when he allegedly hit another student while he was in middle school. He was initially placed in diversion, a voluntary program for first-time offenders, but was later charged with battery after failing to comply with the program's conditions. He admitted his responsibility in January 2022.

In December 2021, the juvenile was allegedly involved in several car burglaries, including the theft of a handgun. He was charged with unlawful entry, petty theft and disturbing the peace, and admitted responsibility in March 2022. After police obtained a search warrant for his bedroom, the handgun was found. was recovered from a lawyer to whom her father had given her. He was then charged with being a minor in possession of a weapon, and again admitted responsibility in March 2022.

On August 18, 2022, the minor, then aged 14, allegedly pointed a handgun at two other minors after discharging it twice. He was charged with assault, discharging a weapon and being a minor in possession of a weapon, admitting responsibility in October 2022. He also admitted to violating his probation.

At a disposition hearing in December 2022, the Kootenai County Prosecutor's Office recommended commitment to the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections, citing the juvenile's escalating behavior and his parents' incapacity to watch him. Magistrate Judge Pittman committed the juvenile to the Department of Juvenile Corrections, but suspended his commitment for three years of formal probation. A 360-day detention period was also suspended.

In October 2023, the minor, then aged 15, allegedly became unconscious at a party and fought with his father and hospital staff after being resuscitated. He was charged with battery and driving under the influence in public, admitting responsibility in March 2024.

On April 4, 2024, officers investigating car burglaries learned that the juvenile, now 16 years old, was involved in a scheme to steal items from unlocked vehicles. He allegedly stole a handgun and accidentally discharged it, leading to charges of grand larceny of a firearm, larceny by possession of stolen property, burglary and criminal conspiracy to commit burglary . He admitted responsibility in May 2024 and admitted to violating his probation.

At a May 2024 disposition hearing, Senior Magistrate Judge Timothy VanValin committed the juvenile to the Department of Juvenile Corrections, but suspended the commitment for two years of formal probation. The juvenile was given a 720-day detention period, which was also suspended, and was ordered to complete a theft awareness and hunter safety course as conditions of his probation.

Prosecutor Stanley T. Mortensen thanked the Post Falls Police Department and other law enforcement agencies for their work on the case and urged residents not to leave firearms in vehicles unattended.