COEUR d’ALENE — A Shoshone County man was placed on probation after threatening a North Idaho lawmaker, though the judge in the case warned that he will be kept on the “tightest of leashes” during the period of his probation.

Ryan Gaddy, 41, pleaded guilty in May to making threats against state elected officials, a felony. 

First District Judge Casey Simmons sentenced Gaddy on Wednesday to five years in prison, the maximum possible sentence, then placed Gaddy on supervised probation for five years. 

“I want you to understand that this is going to be like no other probation that you have ever seen or most people in the Kootenai County jail have ever seen,” Simmons told Gaddy. 

While on probation, Gaddy must wear a GPS monitor and complete 250 hours of community service. He is not allowed to use social media or own any weapons. 

Gaddy must engage in therapy to address mental illness and anger management. He must continue treatment for his chronic physical ailments and update his probation officer weekly about his medical treatments. 

If Gaddy violates the terms of his probation, Simmons said he can expect to serve the full five-year prison sentence. 

“No pleas of how much your family needs you will sway this court,” she said. 

The charges stem from Feb. 22, when prosecutors said Gaddy made threats on social media against Rep. Jordan Redman, R-Coeur d’Alene, and his family. Gaddy reportedly made the threats in response to a Medicaid expansion reform bill sponsored by Redman. 

Gaddy’s posts included commentary about firebombing Redman’s office. He also made a video outside Redman’s business, Redman and Company Insurance in Coeur d’Alene. 

“Mr. Gaddy made clear in his statements to law enforcement that day that his goal was to kill Mr. Redman and that his motive was to influence the legislative process,” said prosecuting attorney Kyle Singleton. 

Prosecutors originally charged Gaddy with making threats against elected officials, offering bribes to legislators and making threats or other improper influence on official and political matters. In exchange for Gaddy’s guilty plea, the state dismissed all but one charge. 

In court Wednesday, Gaddy apologized for his actions and said he never intended to follow through with the threats. 

“I was wrong and there’s no excuse for the choice I made,” he said. 

Gaddy said he’s spent the five months since his arrest in jail, reflecting on his actions. 

“It was a very large wakeup call about letting my mental health and physical health deteriorate to a point of such darkness,” he said. “I have been on a mission to become a better man.”