A 60-year-old Pocatello man has been charged with aggravated assault following an early morning confrontation that police say involved a wooden club and threats, according to court documents obtained by eastidahonews.com.
Billy Lee Bolton was arrested Saturday, Sept. 5, after the Pocatello Police Department responded to reports of a disturbance involving a weapon around 2:30 a.m. Officers arrived at a residence on the city’s east side where a dispute had erupted between two individuals.
According to law enforcement, the victim had gone to the home to retrieve personal belongings from his ex-girlfriend. As he was present at the scene, Bolton allegedly emerged from a nearby structure armed with a wooden club. Police reports state that Bolton yelled threats and charged toward the victim, who backed away fearing for his life as Bolton raised the weapon.
The incident highlights the complexities of domestic disputes and property retrieval in Bannock County. While the victim’s account led to the arrest, a witness sleeping in a vehicle provided a conflicting version of events. The witness told investigators they saw a man beating on a neighboring trailer and yelling profanities before Bolton appeared.
The witness stated that Bolton came out of concern for her safety and confirmed he held a wooden club but did not strike anyone. In his own statement, Bolton claimed he grabbed a wooden tire-checker stick to protect his home after hearing yelling. He alleged the victim made verbal threats against him.
“Saying he was going to kill him,” court documents note regarding Bolton’s account of the confrontation.
Law enforcement detained Bolton and escorted the victim to collect his belongings before placing Bolton under arrest. He has been appointed a public defender, though the Idaho State Public Defender’s Office does not comment on active cases.
Bolton faces one count of aggravated assault, a felony that carries a maximum penalty of five years in confinement and a $5,000 fine if found guilty. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 22.
This case underscores the ongoing challenges local law enforcement faces in resolving volatile neighborhood disputes. As seen in other recent incidents across Southeast Idaho, such as the bomb threat hoax at Twin Falls High School, police must quickly assess threats to public safety while navigating conflicting witness accounts.