Idaho Falls standoff suspect charged following alleged dog altercation

IDAHO FALLS — The suspect of a weapons call that led to a large police response and short standoff in Idaho Falls has been identified and charged, according to court documents.

James Levi Hathaway is facing two misdemeanor charges of assault.

The incident began Wednesday around 3:30 p.m. when animal control officers responded to a call about a dog fight on the 1800 block of South Boulevard. Marrina Swenson reported a pit bull grabbed one of her three corgis while she was walking with the dogs and her children, according to an affidavit of probable cause obtained by EastIdahoNews.com.

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Swenson, her mother and an animal control officer approached the home where the presumed pit bull owner lived and knocked on the door. Hathaway answered and at one point, the animal control officer reported seeing him with a gun. Additional police officers were then called to the neighborhood and a short standoff ensued.

Hathaway surrendered to police, showed officers where the firearm was and agreed to talk with them.

“The gun that the suspect had presented during the call turned out to be a BB gun,” police say in court documents.

Hathaway was released Thursday after posting $10,000 bond. He was ordered to not have any contact with children and must obtain a mental health evaluation, according to court documents. A future hearing date has not been set.

Although Hathaway has been charged with these crimes, it doesn’t necessarily mean he committed them. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty.