Police in Boise, Idaho arrested Jonathan Parker on a felony first-degree stalking charge this Thursday, alleging that on or between May 16 and May 30, Parker “did knowingly and maliciously engage” in conduct that “seriously alarmed, annoyed or harassed Kelly Parker,” the Idaho Statesman reports.
Kelly Parker is the suspect’s former wife, who he is currently in divorce proceedings with. Jonathan Parker is a lobbyist and the former Chairman of the Idaho Republican Party. His former wife currently has a restraining order filed against him.
According to the complaint filed against Parker, he was “repeatedly hiding in bushes, masturbating, disguising himself with a wig” at or near Kelly Parker’s apartment.
From the Idaho Statesman:
Parker, 39, was arraigned Friday afternoon in Ada County district court. During his video arraignment, the prosecutor told the judge that police responded to a report of a man looking into windows and fondling himself. When police arrived, they learned that Parker’s estranged wife lived in the complex.
Parker told police that he was there to scare a different female, but police said they were not able to contact this person. The prosecutor also noted that Parker’s estranged wife has previously reported him staring into her windows.
Former GOP Idaho attorney general David Leroy represented Parker during the arraignment. Leroy told the judge that the incident was a “grand misunderstanding” and that Parker had been invited to a costume party at the apartment complex.
According to Boise State Public Radio, Parker left his position with the Idaho GOP in February after serving there since 2017. Before that, he served as executive director for the Idaho GOP and was a staffer for former Republican Congressman Bill Sali.
His bail has been set at $80,000 and he faces up to 5 years in prison.
Featured image: Holland & Hart/Ada Country Sheriff’s Office
