BOISE — A Wallowa man who pleaded guilty to charges that he harassed and intimidated his estranged spouse was sentenced Nov. 8 to the maximum sentence of 60 months in federal prison for interstate stalking.

Joel Waters, 44, also was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay a $2,000 fine, according to a press release from the District of Idaho U.S. Attorney’s office in Boise.

Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye sentenced Waters to an additional 30 days in prison for contempt of court as a result of Waters’ behavior in the courtroom at sentencing, the press release said.

Waters’ victim appeared in court and provided an impact statement. “We were all living in fear. We were all hostages in an invisible prison of Joel’s making,” the victim said.

According to court records, between Oct. 7 and Dec. 24, 2020, Waters traveled between Oregon and Idaho to harass and intimidate the victim, who was living in Boise. Waters took dogs from the victim’s home and car, slashed the tires on the victim’s vehicle, twice set fire to the victim’s residence in Oregon, placed a tracking device on the victim’s vehicle, set fire to the victim’s vehicle, and sent the victim numerous harassing emails. Some of Waters’ acts occurred in violation of a civil protection order that the victim had obtained against Waters in Oregon.

“The defendant’s crimes in this case were horrific, dangerous, and deeply affected the courageous victim,” said U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit. “I am glad that justice has been served and honored to support the victim as she moves forward with her life.”

The couple separated in September 2020 following an argument and the victim moved in with family in Boise.

Waters was served with a civil protection order in Wallowa County on Oct. 9, 2020, that was valid through Oct. 5, 2021, according to court documents. He was prohibited from having any contact with his spouse and was not allowed to come within 300 feet of the family’s home in Boise or their shared residence in Wallowa. 

Twice during this time period, Waters set fire to their shared residence in Wallowa, according to court documents. He started the first fire on Nov. 10, 2020, causing substantial damage to the house. Waters set the second fire on Dec. 22, 2020, which, according to Oregon public records, was the day Wallowa County Circuit Court entered the judgment in their divorce proceedings.

“We’re thankful to our investigators as well as our federal partners for ensuring that Joel Waters is held accountable for his crimes,” said BPD Criminal Investigation Division Captain Matt Jones. 

Hurwit commended the cooperative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Boise Police Department and the Oregon State Police, which led to charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kassandra McGrady prosecuted the case.