On Friday, June 5, 2026, the Idaho State Journal reported that U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Ryan Douglas Nelson is facing two misdemeanor criminal charges following an alleged physical altercation in an Idaho Falls parking lot. The charges, battery and malicious injury to property, stem from an incident on April 2 where Nelson is accused of swiping a man’s glasses off his face, throwing them, and then stomping on them during a dispute over a parking space.

Nelson, 52, of Idaho Falls, has been charged by Idaho Falls city prosecuting attorney Zachary H. Jones. The case is being handled in Idaho’s 7th Judicial District Court. According to court records, the confrontation occurred in a parking lot on Memorial Drive. Nelson and another Idaho Falls resident reportedly had a verbal disagreement over a parking spot that escalated to a physical level.

Prosecutor Jones confirmed the charges against Nelson but declined to provide further details, stating he wants to ensure a thorough and unbiased process given the potential high-profile nature of the case.

Nelson’s attorney, Curtis R. Smith, issued a statement asserting Nelson’s presumption of innocence and his commitment to resolving the personal charges through the judicial system. Smith stressed that the incident, involving alleged damage to sunglasses, is unrelated to Nelson’s judicial duties.

Records indicate Nelson was formally charged on April 22 and entered pleas of not guilty to both charges on May 13. A pretrial conference hearing is scheduled for June 18 before 7th District Magistrate Judge John C. Dewey at the Bonneville County Courthouse. The purpose of this hearing is to facilitate the exchange of evidence, explore plea agreement possibilities, and manage the court’s schedule to either settle the case or prepare for a potential trial.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, based in San Francisco, has jurisdiction over Idaho and eight other western states. Nelson also maintains an office in Idaho Falls.

The alleged victim, whose identity is being withheld by the Idaho State Journal, stated that the incident began just after he had parked his vehicle next to Nelson’s blue pickup truck. He described Nelson’s truck as being angled in its parking space, effectively blocking multiple spots. As the alleged victim was exiting his vehicle, Nelson started his truck to depart. The alleged victim then made comments about Nelson’s parking.

Video footage obtained by the Idaho State Journal appears to show Nelson exiting his truck and approaching the alleged victim. Nelson is heard on the video asserting he had only been parked for two minutes. Within about 12 seconds of getting out of his truck, Nelson allegedly swiped at the alleged victim, ultimately removing his glasses and throwing them approximately 50 feet away. The alleged victim reported that Nelson’s finger caught his glasses as he removed them.

The video also shows Nelson briefly turning away before returning to the alleged victim. Another verbal exchange occurred, during which Nelson appeared to attempt to take the alleged victim’s phone. Nelson is heard on the video using offensive language and calling the alleged victim “crazy.” As the alleged victim continued to walk toward his glasses, Nelson reportedly ran past him, stopped at the location of the glasses on the asphalt, and stomped on them.

The alleged victim reported the incident to the Idaho Falls Police Department the following day, April 3. An affidavit filed in court states that the alleged victim told police Nelson had challenged him to a fight. The officer investigating the report also spoke with Nelson, who reportedly admitted to knocking the glasses from the alleged victim’s head and stomping on them, while denying any physical contact with the man himself.

Nelson did not respond to a request for comment made to his Idaho Falls office. The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has stated it is aware of the situation and is awaiting further information.

Nelson, who was nominated by President Donald Trump, has served as a 9th Circuit judge since 2018.

If convicted of both misdemeanor charges, Nelson faces a potential sentence of up to 18 months in county jail and a fine of up to $2,000.

 

 

Source: Idaho State Journal