A coordinated law enforcement effort in Post Falls, Idaho led to the arrest of four people Wednesday, including a fugitive wanted on domestic violence charges who barricaded himself in a shed and had to be subdued by a police canine before he could be taken into custody.
Fugitive Located Near N. Idaho Road
The U.S. Marshals Greater Idaho Fugitive Task Force tracked down Johnny Levi Turcott, 37, to a shed near the intersection of N. Idaho Road and 16th Avenue in Post Falls. Turcott was wanted by the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office on charges of domestic battery and attempted strangulation.
When officers ordered Turcott to surrender, he refused to comply. Task force members then deployed a tactical canine to take him into custody. After the apprehension, Turcott was transported to a medical center for evaluation before being booked into jail.
U.S. Marshal for the District of Idaho Brent Bunn emphasized the seriousness of domestic violence cases, stating that “it is imperative for the safety of our citizens that those wanted for domestic violence be arrested and brought to justice.”
Three Additional Arrests Made During Operation
The operation netted three more arrests beyond the fugitive himself. Aaron N. Mattes, 40, of Post Falls, faces charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and harboring a fugitive — suggesting he may have been sheltering Turcott or aware of his location.
Kendra L. Martinez, 48, also of Post Falls, was arrested on charges of harboring a fugitive and obstruction, indicating she too allegedly took steps to shield Turcott from law enforcement.
Scott J. Murray, 50, of Post Falls, was taken into custody on possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia charges.
Multi-Agency Task Force Carried Out the Arrests
The operation was a joint effort involving several North Idaho law enforcement agencies working alongside federal authorities. Participating agencies included the Post Falls Police Department, the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, the Coeur d’Alene Police Department, the Idaho Department of Corrections, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
The collaboration underscores how regional law enforcement agencies across Kootenai County regularly pool resources to track down individuals who evade arrest warrants. Similar multi-agency efforts have recently addressed other public safety concerns across the region, including online threats made against local law enforcement officers in Post Falls.
What Comes Next
Turcott, Mattes, Martinez, and Murray all face processing through the Kootenai County court system. Those charged with harboring a fugitive and obstruction could face significant penalties depending on how prosecutors proceed. Drug-related charges against Murray and Mattes will also move through the courts separately.
Domestic violence cases carry particular weight for local prosecutors and law enforcement, as officials have repeatedly signaled that suspects sought on those charges will be pursued aggressively. Residents with information about wanted individuals in Kootenai County are encouraged to contact the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office or the U.S. Marshals Service tip line.