BOISE, Idaho — Joel Waters, a 44-year-old resident of Wallowa, Oregon, was sentenced Wednesday for stalking and harassing a resident of Boise, Idaho, according to the United States Attorney's Office (USAO).
The news release said Waters was sentenced to a maximum of five years in federal prison for interstate stalking. Waters will serve a term of 60 months in prison.
The incident occurred between October 7, 2020, to December 24, 2020, when Waters traveled from Oregon to Boise to harass the victim, the USAO said. Waters took dogs from the victim's home, slashed car tires, set fire to the victim's Oregon home and vehicle, placed a tracking device on their vehicle and sent harassing emails.
The news release said that Water's actions violated a civil protection order that the victim placed against him.
"The defendant's crimes in this case were horrific, dangerous, and deeply affected the courageous victim," U.S. Attorney Hurwit, said "I am glad that justice has been served and honored to support the victim as she moves forward with her life."
Waters was also ordered to pay a $2,000 fine and sentenced to three years of supervised release, the news release said. During the hearing he was held in contempt for his behavior and was given an extra 30 days.
"We were all living in fear, the victim said in an impact statement. "We were all hostages in an invisible prison of Joel's making."
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