Honduran National Sentenced to 26 Years in Idaho Child Rape Case, Deportation to Follow
IDAHO FALLS — A Honduran national has been sentenced to 26 years in prison after pleading guilty to lewd conduct with a seven-year-old girl in eastern Idaho, with a judge indicating the man will be deported upon completion of his sentence.
Jose Everado Vidal Leonor was originally charged in June 2025 with felony rape of a child under the age of 16. Under a plea agreement signed in October, the charge was amended to lewd conduct with a minor under 16. Bonneville County District Judge Michael Whyte sentenced Leonor to six years fixed and 20 years indeterminate — a unified sentence of 26 years — and noted his expectation that Leonor will be deported to Honduras following his release. Leonor was also ordered to register as a sex offender and pay more than $3,000 in court fines and fees. He received credit for nine months of time already served in jail.
Details of the Crime
According to court documents, the incident that led to Leonor’s arrest occurred on June 18, 2025, when witnesses discovered Leonor naked and on top of the seven-year-old victim. A subsequent forensic interview with the child corroborated what witnesses observed, and the victim reported pain in her genital area. Leonor was initially charged with felony rape before the plea agreement reduced the charge.
Bonneville County Prosecutor Steven Haderlie outlined several serious aggravating factors during sentencing, stating that Leonor had penetrated the victim, held a position of parental authority over the child, and used force or coercion during the assault. Haderlie recommended a unified sentence of 25 years, with eight years fixed, citing the extreme severity of the offense.
“The state believes this is an extremely serious crime. Our top concern was the seven-year-old child involved in this crime,” Haderlie told the court.
Haderlie also referenced Idaho’s recently enacted legislation targeting aggravated lewd conduct — which carries a minimum sentence of 30 years and allows for the death penalty when aggravating factors are present. Haderlie argued that the facts of this case would have met those qualifications. However, because the crime occurred just weeks before that law took effect, Leonor could not be charged under its provisions.
Language Barriers and Sentencing Recommendation
Defense attorney John Thomas raised significant concerns during the proceedings regarding his client’s ability to meaningfully participate in the pre-sentencing process. Leonor, who does not speak English, also cannot read or write in Spanish, creating complications even when an interpreter was present. These barriers affected the accuracy of the presentence investigation report, as many of Leonor’s answers could not be conclusively verified.
The language issues also disrupted a polygraph examination, which was not completed after the polygrapher concluded that Leonor appeared to be attempting to manipulate the results. Despite these concerns, Thomas agreed with the presentence investigation’s conclusion that Leonor presents a low risk of reoffending and has no significant prior criminal history. That report recommended a sentence of three months — less than the nine months Leonor had already served — followed by transfer to federal immigration authorities to begin deportation proceedings.
The state strongly objected to that recommendation, arguing it failed to reflect the gravity of the offense and its aggravating circumstances. Judge Whyte ultimately sided closer to the prosecution’s position, imposing the 26-year sentence.
Before sentencing, Leonor addressed the court through an interpreter, saying he was seeking God’s forgiveness and wanted to apologize to his wife and family. “I swear that this will never happen again,” Leonor said. “Nothing like this has ever happened in my life, and I’m very sorry.”
Cases involving crimes committed by illegal aliens have drawn increased scrutiny across Idaho and the nation. Public safety agencies in the region have also faced other security challenges in recent weeks, including threat reports that placed Pocatello and Chubbuck city halls on temporary lockdown and required law enforcement response in Bannock County.
What Comes Next
Leonor will serve his sentence within the Idaho Department of Correction. Upon release, Judge Whyte indicated he anticipates Leonor will be transferred to federal immigration authorities and deported to Honduras. He will remain on Idaho’s sex offender registry. The case drew attention to Idaho’s recently passed aggravated lewd conduct law, which lawmakers approved with broad support and sent to the governor earlier this year — legislation that prosecutors note would have applied directly to cases like Leonor’s had it been in effect at the time of the crime. For additional statewide coverage of criminal justice and public safety legislation, visit Idaho News.