Idaho issues statement on sentencing of Candon Dahle, former BYU baseball player accused of child sexual assault

Related video: Former BYU baseball player pleads guilty to lesser charges after being accused of child sexual assault

BINGHAM COUNTY, Idaho (ABC4) — The Idaho Judicial Branch has issued a statement following threats from the public over the sentencing of a former BYU baseball player who was accused of sexual abuse of a young child. ABC4 spoke with a criminal defense attorney regarding the sentencing.

On Feb. 14, 2025, Candon Dahle was charged with felony lewd conduct with a child under 16. He was arrested by Provo Police on Feb. 10 and extradited from Utah to Idaho on Feb. 13. In May, Dahle’s charges were amended to two counts of felony injury to a child, a lesser charge.

This amendment to his charges was part of the mediation of this case, during which the Idaho Courts say that Dahle agreed to serve probation, and to serve prison time if that probation is violated. Prosecutors also agreed to dismiss another case through the plea deal.

Because of the new charges of felony injury to a child, Dahle “cannot be required to register as a sex offender.” Months later, on Aug. 26, a different judge would sentence Dahle based on these charges.

“After listening to their arguments, the judge chooses to accept the plea deal. He puts the defendant on probation for eight years with 180 days in jail to be served now, and a possible 10-year prison sentence in the future,” the Idaho Judicial Branch stated in their timeline of the case.

This plea deal was “binding,” meaning that the judge could accept or reject the plea deal, but could not change the terms of it. If the judge had rejected the plea agreement, the case would have proceeded to a trial unless new terms were created.

“The judge’s decision followed arguments from both sides, an impact statement from the victim, and other information on Dahle’s history and risk of reoffending — all factors Idaho law requires a judge to consider,” the Idaho Judicial Branch stated.

Attorney breaks down sentencing

Clayton Simms, a criminal defense attorney in Utah, says that the sentencing in this case aligned with what Dahle ultimately pleaded guilty to. He explained that Dahle did receive consequences for his crime, but they may not fit what the public sees as justice.

“So we can’t minimize the sentence that he did plead guilty to two felony offenses. They’re non-registrable sex offenses, but there are still consequences. 180 days jail — so six months jail —and 200 hours [of] community service,” Simms stated. “So there is some component of punishment there, but some in the public may think that it’s not enough. It doesn’t fit the crime.”

Simms explained that what Dahle was initially charged with would have had a harsher sentence. Ultimately, however, Dahle pleaded guilty to two offenses that did not involve sex crimes, so he was not required to register and received a sentence in line with his injury to a child charges.

“If you look at what he actually plead to, the sentence is in line with what he plead guilty to, not necessarily what he was charged with. So what he was charged with, but not necessarily convicted, you would have a much harsher sentence,” Simms stated.

Because Dahle’s initial charges are in the public record, Simms said, the public is reacting to the original charges and was expecting a sentence based on those. Because the case did not go to trial and a plea deal was arranged, the severity of his offense was reduced.

“If he violates probation in some way, he could go to prison. He could serve that prison sentence if he violates probation. But right now, that is just hanging over his head during the period of probation. He has to complete the community service, he has to complete the jail,” Simms said.

Simms expanded on some of the factors that may have gone into the decision of prosecutors and Dahle’s attorneys during mediation. One of those factors was Dahle’s age, as he was under the age of 18 when some of the alleged abuse occurred. Another factor could have been the loss of opportunities for Dahle, as he can no longer play for BYU’s baseball team.

“There’s more sanctions than just going to prison that will be felt here,” Simm expressed.

Similar to the explanation from the Idaho Judicial Branch, Simms said that the plea agreement is a way to resolve a case without requiring the victims to testify at trial, and it also eliminates some risks for the defendant. It’s a compromise between the prosecution and defense that can prevent a jury trial.

“So there are felonies and serious child abuse charges, injury to a child, but they are not registrable sex offenses. So the plea bargain in this case was a reduction that he avoided prison but served some jail time, so it was a compromise,” Simms explained.

Court responds to threats

According to a press release from the State of Idaho Judicial Branch, “criticism of a recent criminal sentencing has descended into misinformation and threats that now disrupt court operations” and jeopardize the rights of Idahoans to have their cases resolved by an impartial judge.

The Idaho Judicial Branch stated that since the sentencing of Dahle became public, the story has spread across social media and caused people to send threats to the court and to the judge. They say that court staff have been told that people are coming to “get” the judge. Messages and posts have been sent where people hope the judge and his children are sexually assaulted.

While the Idaho Judicial Branch acknowledged that criticism of judges is “fair and expected,” they stated that these threats are interrupting the function of the courts and can interfere with the “timely delivery of justice.” They further stated that the court does not decide matters based on public opinion.

“The Idaho Judicial Branch urges an immediate end to these threats and calls on everyone discussing the case to pause and become acquainted with its facts. Idaho judges are accountable in multiple ways to their government and their public. Criticism of judicial decisions is fair and expected in a free society. Promising violence is never acceptable,” the Idaho Judicial Branch concluded.

Abigail Jones, Renisha Mall, and Alexa McFadden contributed to this report.