Former jail deputies charged in inmate retaliation plot

CALDWELL, Idaho – Two former jail deputies in southwestern Idaho have been arrested on suspicion of attempting to incite an attack on an inmate who injured a guard during an escape attempt last year, according to prosecutors.

Canyon County jail deputies C. Kade Shipley McConnell and Corey Weathermon were fired in October and arrested Monday, the Idaho Press-Tribune reported.

McConnell, 26, was charged with solicitation to commit aggravated battery, and Weathermon, 46, was charged with aiding and abetting the solicitation.

Two inmates at the Canyon County jail in Caldwell attempted an escape in October, injuring a guard in the process, according to court documents.

Days later, McConnell showed other inmates confidential documents outlining the child sex abuse charges against one of the men who attempted the escape, said Shelley Akamatsu, an Ada County prosecutor.

McConnell planned to have the inmates attack the man while he was left alone in the library, Akamatsu said.

Weathermon printed the confidential documents and served as a lookout as McConnell shared the information, according to court documents.

The plot failed after inmates alerted authorities.

During the arraignment Tuesday, Akamatsu requested McConnell’s bail to be set at $75,000, noting his role was “specifically to prevent crime and not organize or create.”

Alexander Briggs, McConnell’s defense attorney, argued for his client to be released on personal recognizance, noting he does not have a prior criminal record.

Judge John Meienhofer set his bail to $15,000.

“Your bond was high at $75,000,” Meienhofer told McConnell in court. “It’s been reduced because up until this point, you’ve lead an honest and honorable life.”

Weathermon posted a $35,000 bond Monday, according to court records.