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Idaho militia group founder faces aggravated assault charge

In this Jan. 9, 2016, file photo, Brandon Curtiss of the "Idaho 3%" group speaks to the media after arriving at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Ore. More than 30 members of the "Idaho 3%" group say they've resigned after Curtiss, the group's president, spent $2,900 in donations on personal items rather than using it to help four Idaho men facing charges from a 2014 armed standoff with government agents in Nevada. The 36 members in mainly leadership positions of Idaho 3% announced the resignations Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2016. (Rick Bowmer / AP)
Associated Press

BOISE, Idaho – The founder of an Idaho militia group has been charged with aggravated assault following a confrontation with a court process server, a newspaper said.

Brandon Curtiss is due back in court March 6.

He was arrested Jan. 9 in Payette County in connection with the Aug. 9 incident, the Idaho Statesman reported, citing documents it obtained Thursday through a public records request.

Police say Curtiss, the founder of 3% of Idaho, confronted a woman serving him papers for an Ada County lawsuit involving rents and payments on properties he managed for clients.

The woman reported Curtiss threatened to shoot her, holding his right hand on the butt of his handgun in its holster, the newspaper said.

The woman said she left the papers on the porch of the rented home in Fruitland, but Curtiss shoved them under her windshield wiper.

Fruitland Police Chief J.D. Huff later spoke by telephone with Curtiss, 43, who told the chief he had “no trespassing” signs posted on the property and that the woman illegally trespassed.

Curtiss said he yelled profanities at the woman and demanded that she identify herself, Huff reported. He said the woman dropped her papers on the doorstep and retreated to her vehicle.

A message left for Curtiss by The Associated Press at the office of 3% of Idaho was not immediately returned,

Woodside Properties won a default judgment for $5,219 on Jan. 12 against Curtiss and his dissolved companies, Curtiss Property Management and Liberty Property Management.

Curtiss portrayed himself as a successful Meridian property manager during last year’s standoff at a national wildlife refuge in Oregon.

But business clients later contacted the newspaper to say Curtiss failed to deposit rent money he collected. Curtiss, early last year, filed for bankruptcy, listing $235,000 in debts and $13,230 in assets, the Statesman reported.

At least 17 property owners have filed complaints with the Idaho State Police or the Idaho attorney general’s office contending Curtiss owes them money.

And last September, former members of 3% of Idaho said Curtiss improperly spent money belonging to the group. Curtiss said an audit would prove he didn’t commit any wrongdoing, but he has not produced the audit.