BOISE, ID – An Idaho couple faces more than 100 criminal charges after authorities say they created and distributed a 277-page manifesto containing detailed instructions for readers to kill judges, police officers, bankers, private citizens and their families.
Jonathan Harms, 43, and Jolene Harms, 39, were arrested following an investigation into threats made against dozens of individuals connected to their former church and the local community. The couple had previously been members of Table Rock Church before being excommunicated, according to court documents.
The manifesto, which authorities described as a “kill list,” reportedly included the directive “Go. Hunt. Kill.” Prosecutors say Jonathan Harms sent copies of the document to church leaders despite active protection orders prohibiting contact. In the manifesto, Harms allegedly claims to be “the crown prince of heaven.”
“The defendants have expressed deep religious conviction, which fuels much of their action,” said prosecutor Robert Bleazard in court filings. “The manifesto explicitly ordered people to kill and burn bodies.”
The charges against the couple include multiple counts of stalking, harassment and witness intimidation. Jolene Harms allegedly texted a police officer’s wife with threats to kill their children. She previously pleaded guilty to separate harassment charges.
Investigators identified dozens of potential victims named in the manifesto, including members of law enforcement, the judiciary and private citizens. Authorities have been working to notify all individuals targeted in the document.
Both defendants were ordered held on $15 million bail each, which prosecutors argued was necessary given the severity of the threats and the couple’s repeated violations of protection orders. Jonathan Harms is currently awaiting a jury trial scheduled for January, while both defendants are set to appear in court for a hearing on October 6.
Church officials declined to comment on the specific circumstances that led to the couple’s excommunication, citing privacy concerns for congregation members. Local law enforcement has increased patrols near the church and homes of individuals identified in the manifesto.
The case has drawn attention from state prosecutors, who say it represents one of the most extensive stalking and harassment cases in Idaho history based on the number of alleged victims and the scope of the threats made.
