An Idaho man, on trial for sexually abusing a minor, now stands accused of soliciting someone to kidnap and kill the 7-year-old girl he allegedly abused. The 60-year-old from Boise is being held on a $6 million bond at the Ada County Jail.
Byron Ely is currently charged with lewd conduct with a child younger than 16-years-old. His trial for those charges was set for March 17 but was postponed due to coronavirus outbreak. After the postponement, police received a tip that Ely solicited someone to kill his alleged 7-year-old victim and the victim’s family.
Byron Ely was set to go to trial in March, then someone tipped off Boise police that they had been in contact with him.
Ely’s court date had been scheduled for March until the Idaho Supreme Court ordered courts to temporarily postpone assembling jury panels. After the trial was paused, police received a tip that Ely had solicited a crime.
According to the tip, Ely asked the person who reported it to kidnap and kill his alleged victim and the victim’s parents. Ely is alleged to have offered that person two vehicles as payment.
Prosecutors then argued for a higher bail amount in court.
“The state believes he is a grave risk to this victim and her family members,” Prosecutor Katelyn Farley argued to a magistrate judge about the bail amount. “He is a risk to the community, and he has incentive to flee.”
Ely’s bond was set at $1 million for the lewd conduct charge. Now, an additional $5 million has been added for the solicitation to commit a crime charge.
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Ely’s next court date is set for July.
Ely pleaded not guilty to all charges. His next court appearance is scheduled for July 29 at 11 AM according to Idaho Statesman.
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