Man charged in Madison County after allegedly attempting to intimidate witnesses
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REXBURG — A Madison County man is facing criminal charges after allegedly intimidating witnesses outside the court house.
Brighton Brady Maddox-Stephens, 21, has been charged with two counts of intimidating, impeding, influencing or preventing the attendance of a witness.
Court documents allege that on Sept. 21, two victims contacted the Madison County Sheriff’s Office to report Maddox-Stephens had allegedly made threats against them in the parking lot of the Madison County Courthouse as they were leaving a court appearance.
The victims reported Maddox-Stephens called them rats and made squeaking “rat noises” at them as he passed on his way to his vehicle. The victims also allege that Maddox-Stephens swore at and insulted them.
Maddox-Stephens proceeded to film the victims as he left the parking lot and threatened to post the video “so everyone would know they were rats,” the victims reported in court documents.
The victims reportedly told law enforcement that they had known Maddox-Stephen to post court documents to social media and group chats “calling out people who work for the police,” and also told law enforcement that Maddox-Stephens had threatened to “shoot out” their windows.
Court documents report law enforcement reviewed the security footage of the parking lot, which lacked audio, but Maddox-Stephen allegedly appeared to be behaving aggressively towards the victims. The events of the video also appeared to match the victims’ retelling of events.
The victims also reportedly provided screenshots to law enforcement of messages from Maddox-Stephens that allegedly included screenshots of court documents and images of rats.
Maddox-Stephens has been appointed a public defender. The Idaho State Public Defender’s Office does not comment on active cases.
He had his initial appearance in court on Sept. 25. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 30.
Although Maddox-Stephens has been charged with these crimes, it does not necessarily mean he committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty.