FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
| Date: | September 22, 2020 |
| Contact: | Emily Lowe Public Information Officer 208-287-7700 |
| RE: | State v. Jose V. Alvarez – Sentencing |
BOISE – A 23-year-old man will serve up to nine years in prison for intimidating a witness, violating a no contact order and battery.
Jose V. Alvarez was arrested in September 2019 for attempted strangulation and aggravated battery. A month into that criminal case, Mr. Alvarez contacted the victim and asked her to lie about the crimes and to not appear for or testify in upcoming court proceedings. He was subsequently charged in a separate criminal case with two counts of felony intimidating a witness, as well as violation of a no contact order.
In May 2020, Mr. Alvarez pleaded guilty to two felony counts of intimidating a witness, two misdemeanor counts of violation of a no contact order, and battery. To the battery charge, Mr. Alvarez admitted to forcefully putting his hand on the victim’s neck or throat, and to striking her in the head and abdomen.
On Friday, Sept. 18, Ada County District Judge James Cawthon sentenced the defendant to serve up to nine years in prison, with four years to be served before being eligible for parole. Judge Cawthon also ordered the defendant to have no contact with the victim for 20 years.
“Thank you to the victim for being so brave throughout this case,” said Jan M. Bennetts, Ada County Prosecutor. “Thank you to Boise Police for their hard work in the initial investigation and for the follow up in this case, which helped my office ensure justice was served.”
More information about resources for victims of domestic violence can be found at FACES of Hope Victim Center’s website www.facesofhopevictimcenter.org and the Women’s and Children’s Alliance website at www.wcaboise.org.