Boise Police on Thursday arrested a lobbyist and former Idaho Republican Party chairman on a felony first-degree stalking charge, the Idaho Statesman reports.
According to the criminal complaint, Jonathan Parker was “repeatedly hiding in bushes, masturbating, disguising himself with a wig” at or near (his wife) Kelly Parker’s apartment.
The complaint alleges 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’s wife filed for divorce in Ada County on March 26, according to court records. The divorce proceedings are pending and sealed.
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.
The judge set bond at $80,000 and issued a no-contact order, which bars Parker from getting within 500 feet of his wife.
Parker’s preliminary hearing is set for 8:30 a.m. June 14.
According to Boise State Public Radio, Parker resigned from 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.
