Man arrested after claiming neighbor telepathically told him to drive into his fence and car

IDAHO FALLS — A 37-year-old man who was arrested Wednesday after he reportedly drove his car into his neighbor’s fence and car says the incident happened because of telepathic messages he received.

Adam Lee Shannon Flanigan was charged with one count of felony malicious injury to property with damages over $1,000.

Police reports show just before 3 p.m. Wednesday, Idaho Falls Police were called to a disturbance at a home in Idaho Falls.

When they arrived, officers spoke to a man who said his neighbor, Flanigan, had driven a Nissan Pathfinder through his wood fence and crashed into his Mitsubishi Montero, pushing it through the rear garage door.

According to the officer that wrote the police report, the victim called the police four times within 24 hours, reporting Flanigan for vandalism and verbal disturbances.

The victim told police he did not want to leave for work, fearing his neighbor would hurt other people that lived in his home. He also said he tries to keep his animals inside because he fears Flanigan “throwing bricks and rocks” at them.

A woman who also lives in the home agreed, saying she has been staying home from work out of fear for her safety.

When officers interviewed Flanigan, he said the victims were harassing him and that they communicated telepathically, according to the police report.

Flanigan told officers that the victim “told him telepathically to throw rocks at his vehicle in his backyard.” He also stated the victim was telepathically apologizing and asking for punishment for his sins.

Officers continued to interview him, and Flanigan reportedly stated his neighbor “told him telepathically multiple times to park his car in (the victim’s) backyard and that (the victim) was going to get guns,” according to court documents.

Flanigan then said he drove his wife’s vehicle into the back of his neighbor’s fence, thinking the fence would stop the car. According to Flanigan, his wife was also in the car but got out after it crashed into the other vehicle.

According to police records, the total estimated damages are around $6,500.

Flanigan was then arrested and booked into the Bonneville County Jail. His bond was set to $5,000, and a no-contact order was issued for the victims.

Although Flanigan has been charged with these crimes, it does not necessarily mean he committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.

He is expected to appear in court on June 21 for a preliminary hearing. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison.