Police: Local man arrested for threatening to kill boy and dog with rock

POCATELLO — A 33-year-old local man was recently arrested after police say he threatened to kill a boy and his dog near downtown Pocatello.

Johnny Joseph Montoya, of Pocatello, has been charged with one felony count of aggravated assault following the incident, which unfolded around 8:20 p.m. on Friday.

Pocatello police were dispatched to the 900 block of North Garfield Avenue after a boy called to report that a man, later identified as Montoya, threatened to kill him and his dog, according to police and court records the Idaho State Journal recently obtained.

Upon arrival, the boy told officers that he was walking his dog when he came across Montoya who suddenly picked a rock up, held it above his head and threatened to kill him and his dog, the report says. The boy was in fear for his safety as a result of the incident, police said.

Officers located Montoya in the area and noted that he appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, said police, adding that Montoya told them that he was afraid the dog would attack him so he held the rock over his head.

Montoya was unable to remember if he had threatened the boy, police said.

Montoya was subsequently charged, arrested and booked inside the Bannock County Jail in Pocatello.

He appeared in front of 6th District Magistrate Judge David Hooste for an arraignment hearing on Monday, during which his bond was set at $10,000.

Montoya is due back in court for a preliminary hearing on Aug. 15, during which prosecutors will attempt to prove there is enough evidence against him to elevate the case from the magistrate to district court level for trial.

The aggravated assault charge Montoya faces carries a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000 if he is convicted. Prosecutors also filed an enhancement against Montoya that could extend any prison sentence levied against him by up to 15 years.