January 24, 2025—Canyon County Prosecutor Christopher Boyd announced that Sequoia Adams, age 32, of Nampa, was sentenced on January 23, 2025, by the Honorable Matthew J. Roker for the felony crime of Domestic Battery with Traumatic Injury with a Persistent Violator sentencing enhancement.

Judge Roker sentenced Adams to a unified sentence of fifteen (15) years, requiring the defendant to serve four (4) years fixed, followed by eleven (11) indeterminate. “Right now, you present an extreme risk to the community,” Judge Roker told Adams.

Mugshot of Sequoia L. Adams

Sequoia L. Adams

During the sentencing hearing, the victim submitted a written statement to the Court in addition to presenting testimony explaining how she has been affected by the defendant’s actions. In her statement, the victim said, “I will never forget the barrel in my mouth and him saying that nobody will miss me. . .. It was torture . . . it was abuse.” The State asked for the maximum sentence allowed under the plea agreement: that the Judge impose a sentence of eight (8) years fixed, followed by twelve (12) years indeterminate, for a total unified sentence of twenty (20) years in prison. “The actions of Sequoia Adams require prison,” Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Angela Stevens stated. Stevens added that the victim would “never forget what this man did to her.” The defendant’s attorney, Isaiah Govia, asked the court to retain jurisdiction and sentence Adams to a “rider.”

Adams was arrested by the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office on June 25, 2024, after he threatened the victim with a gun before brutally punching, kicking and stomping on her, leaving the victim with abrasions and bruises all over her body. Adams then forced her into his vehicle, where he continued to strike her and threaten her with a gun. He then forced the barrel of the gun into the victim’s mouth and told her he would kill her. While in the vehicle, Adams fell asleep and the victim was able to call 911. A search of the vehicle revealed numerous items of methamphetamine paraphernalia.

The defendant was charged with felony Possession of a Controlled Substance, misdemeanor Possession of a Controlled Substance, misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, felony Domestic Battery with Traumatic Injury, Aggravated Assault, a Firearms Enhancement, misdemeanor False Imprisonment, and a Persistent Violator enhancement. On October 31, 2024, Adams pleaded guilty to Domestic Battery with Traumatic Injury with a Persistent Violator enhancement pursuant to a plea agreement.

“I am grateful for the dedication and skill of the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office in investigating this case and to my staff for their tireless work in bringing Mr. Adams to justice,” Prosecutor Boyd said. “Mr. Adams belongs in prison for a long time, and it is my hope that this sentence gives the brave survivor in this case some closure and some peace.”

“I want to thank my staff and Prosecutor Boyd and his team for putting this violent offender behind bars and sending a strong message that domestic violence has no place in our community,” added Sheriff Kieran Donahue. “I also want to commend the victim for her bravery, which likely kept this incident from being even more tragic than it was. I pray that she can finally begin the healing process knowing that her offender is in prison.”