FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
| Date: | Nov. 7, 2023 |
| Contact: | Emily Lowe Public Information Officer 208-287-7700 |
| RE: | State v. Gavin Donithorne – Sentencing |
BOISE – On Tuesday, 23-year-old Gavin Donithorne was sentenced to prison for aggravated assault upon a law enforcement officer, and eluding law enforcement.
The Honorable Ada County District Judge Jonathan Medema sentenced Mr. Donithorne to 10 years imprisonment, with five years fixed before being eligible for parole.
In March of 2023, Mr. Donithorne was on parole, when he sent threatening messages to family members living in Boise which concerned law enforcement. Ada County Sheriff’s deputies located the defendant in Star and attempted a traffic stop, but the defendant eluded law enforcement going upwards of 100 mph. Mr. Donithorne eventually stopped his vehicle on the southeast corner of E. Boise Avenue and Apple Street, exited it, and pointed what responding Boise Police officers believed was a firearm at them. An officer-involved shooting occurred. It was later determined the defendant pointed a pellet gun at law enforcement.
Mr. Donithorne pled guilty in September to felony aggravated assault on certain personnel and eluding a police officer.
“This defendant put many lives at risk when he chose to threaten family, elude law enforcement at excessive speeds, and then threaten law enforcement, prompting an officer-involved shooting,” said Ada County Prosecutor Jan Bennetts. “Thank you to the Boise Police officers and Ada County Sheriff’s deputies who were quick to action in this case.”