Private Security Guards Face Charges After Dragging Idaho Woman From Town Hall

Five private security guards are now facing criminal charges after a dramatic scene at a February town hall meeting in Idaho, where activist Teresa Borrenpohl was forcibly removed by the group. The Coeur d’Alene City Attorney's office announced the charges Monday, which include battery, false imprisonment, and violations related to security agent duties.

The incident unfolded at Coeur d’Alene High School on February 22, where Borrenpohl, a Democratic legislative candidate, was dragged from her seat by men associated with Lear Asset Management—a private security firm that has since lost its city license. In a video from the event, Borrenpohl can be heard questioning the men as they attempt to remove her, even calling out to the sheriff and accusing the guards of pulling her hair while demanding they identify themselves.

The confrontation started after Borrenpohl disrupted the town hall, which drew about 450 attendees, by shouting during a speech about abortion by Republican state Rep. Tony Wisniewski. Not exactly your usual Q&A session.

The men charged—Paul Trouette, Russell Dunne, Christofer Berg, Jesse Jones, and Alex Trouette IV—now face varying counts, with four being charged with battery and false imprisonment, and all cited for violations of security agent duties and uniform requirements.

Both the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office and the Coeur d’Alene Police Department clarified that no law enforcement was involved in Borrenpohl’s removal, and police are actively investigating. In a statement, Coeur d’Alene police stressed their commitment to protecting free speech rights.

Borrenpohl, who has previously run (unsuccessfully) as a Democrat in the deeply Republican region, has filed a tort claim notice, signaling her intent to sue the county. In a press statement, she emphasized that town halls are meant to promote dialogue—not drag-outs—saying she was "deeply alarmed" by the incident.