Boise, ID — An Idaho couple are behind bars facing more than 120 felony charges after prosecutors say they created and distributed a sprawling 277-page manifesto titled “Go. Hunt. Kill.” a document authorities describe as a kill list containing the names of public officials, law enforcement officers, bankers, and even their own family members.
The Manifesto
According to Ada County prosecutors, Jonathan Daniel Harms, 43, and Jolene Lynn Harms, 39, compiled the violent text over months before Jonathan allegedly emailed it to leaders of their former congregation, Table Rock Church in Boise, in September 2025. The manifesto allegedly outlined a broad campaign of targeted violence, describing individuals by name and urging their deaths.
Authorities say the document was not a vague diatribe but a detailed list of perceived enemies that included judges, attorneys, local police officers, and members of the financial sector. Court filings claim the text also targeted members of the couple’s own extended family, escalating concern for community safety.
Arrest and Evidence
Jonathan Harms was arrested shortly after emailing the document, and investigators say a search of the couple’s home uncovered a cache of firearms, ammunition, and tactical gear. Days later, prosecutors allege, Jolene Harms began sending threatening text messages to a Boise police officer’s spouse. One of the messages reportedly referenced harming children in explicit terms, which prosecutors say demonstrated a continuing and immediate danger.
The couple now face charges including stalking, civil and criminal witness intimidation, threats against public officials, and solicitation to commit murder. Combined, the two are charged with more than 120 separate counts.
Prosecutors’ Concerns
In court filings, prosecutors argued the Harmses took “great pride” in their so-called manifesto and had already distributed it to others, dramatically raising the risk of copycat violence. “This is not speech, it is solicitation and conspiracy to commit murder on a mass scale,” one prosecutor told reporters after the couple’s first court appearance.
To underscore the severity of the case, Ada County Judge Michael Dean set Jonathan Harms’ bond at $30 million and Jolene Harms’ bond at $15 million, among the highest ever seen in the county. Both remain held at the Ada County Jail.
Defense and Next Steps
Defense attorneys for the couple have not yet commented publicly, though the court has indicated that mental health evaluations may play a role as the case proceeds. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for early October, when prosecutors are expected to present excerpts of the manifesto and testimony from investigators who reviewed the seized weapons and communications.
Community Impact
The chilling nature of the document and its dissemination to a church community has rattled Boise residents. Leaders at Table Rock Church released a statement thanking law enforcement for their swift response and urging congregants to come forward if they had received communications from the couple.
Authorities say the case is a stark reminder of how online and written threats can escalate into actionable dangers. Prosecutors emphasized that while no acts of violence were carried out, the couple’s detailed planning and threatening communications crossed the line into criminal solicitation.
Broader Significance
Law enforcement experts note that Idaho, like many states, has seen an increase in cases involving violent manifestos or “kill lists” that blur the line between extremist rhetoric and actionable threats. “When a manifesto names specific people and calls for their deaths, it ceases to be protected speech,” one former federal prosecutor told KING 5. “This case will be watched closely across the country.”
For now, Jonathan and Jolene Harms remain incarcerated, awaiting a trial that could see them spend decades, if not the rest of their lives, in prison.
Sources:
- KING 5 News – Idaho couple faces felony charges over alleged kill list
https://www.king5.com/article/news/crime/go-hunt-kill-idaho-couple-faces-felony-charges-over-alleged-kill-list-crime/277-9a2653a2-ecbd-42f0-8551-518a083c4bfa - People Magazine – Idaho Couple Charged After Allegedly Creating 277-Page ‘Kill List’ Titled ‘Go. Hunt. Kill.’
https://people.com/go-hunt-kill-idaho-couple-charged-277-page-hit-list-church-11820386 - East Idaho News – Boise couple charged after alleged creation of kill list manifesto
https://www.eastidahonews.com/2025/09/boise-couple-charged-after-alleged-creation-of-kill-list-manifesto - Idaho Statesman – Boise couple accused of sending manifesto called ‘Go. Hunt. Kill.’ with names of Idaho officials
https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/crime/article291423214.html - MSN News. (2025, September). Mugshots of Jonathan Daniel Harms and Jolene Lynn Harms, charged with publishing “Go. Hunt. Kill.” hit list [Photographs]. MSN. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/go-hunt-kill-idaho-couple-charged-with-publishing-277-page-hit-list-filled-with-judges-cops/ar-AA1NxKf2
