Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed legislation expanding the death penalty to individuals convicted of crimes involving lewd conduct with children under the age of 12.
“House Bill 380, which takes effect July 1, also strengthens punishments for other convicted pedophiles,” ABC 10 reports.
Idaho also became the first state to make a firing squad its preferred method of execution.
🚨New: Idaho Governor Brad Little has signed a bill into law that allows the death penalty for pedophiIes along with making firing squad the primary method of execution for them.
Do you support this? pic.twitter.com/8iduuVs8fn
— The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) April 6, 2025
ABC 10 reports:
The legislation establishes criteria for when prosecutors can seek capital punishment. Defendants must meet three of 17 specific factors, including committing three or more incidents of lewd conduct with a minor, using force or transmitting a sexually transmitted disease to a minor.
“This legislation establishes a strong deterrent, making it clear Idaho will not tolerate these offenses,” Skaug said.
The measure aligns Idaho with other states implementing stricter penalties for child sex crimes.
“Idaho currently has some of the most lenient statutes for child molestation and child rape in the nation,” Skaug said.
In a statement, Little said the sexual abuse of children is sickening and evil, and deserves the ultimate punishment. He also noted Idaho will now be the only state to make death by firing squad the primary method of execution – which would apply to pedophiles.
“Just like capital murder destroys lives, aggravated sexual abuse of a young child devastates victims and families for generations,” Little said.
UPDATE: Idaho Governor Brad Little signed a bill into law which allows the death penalty for pedophiIes and makes firing squad the primary method of execution https://t.co/hPi3pdsWyJ pic.twitter.com/GaLMI0z06a
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) April 6, 2025
WATCH:
🚨 IDAHO JUST MADE HISTORY — PEDOPHILES NOW FACE THE FIRING SQUAD 🚨
Governor Brad Little has signed a law allowing the death penalty for predators convicted of abusing children under 12.
“You destroy a child’s life — you forfeit your own.”
No more wrist slaps.
No more… pic.twitter.com/fqlgqvsrGk— Jim Ferguson (@JimFergusonUK) April 4, 2025
From Deseret News:
A mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years imprisonment, with a possible maximum term of life, may be imposed if the defendant is found guilty of kidnapping the victim or participating in human trafficking “during the commission of or to accomplish the lewd conduct,” according to the bill’s language, strengthening punishments for other convictions where obscene behavior against a minor — aged 16 and younger — was confirmed but didn’t meet death penalty eligibility.
The Idaho Legislature nearly passed the bill unanimously. Only five senators opposed it during its bill cycle.
Cosponsored by Rep. Bruce Skaug, R-Nampa, and House Assistant Majority Leader Josh Tanner, R-Eagle, in the bill’s statement of purpose, the lawmakers stated that Idaho is too lenient in terms of penalizing convicted child molesters. Skaug said in a House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee meeting that HB380 “establishes a strong deterrent, making it clear Idaho will not tolerate these offenses.”
Idaho Gov. Brad Little agreed. After signing the bill into law last week, Little issued a detailed statement on Tuesday regarding his reasons for approving HB380.
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