An Idaho judge has sentenced Juan Diego Ramos Lopez, 47, to 30 years in prison for stabbing his estranged wife 26 times in front of their children, declaring the defendant a 'clear and present danger' to his family. The sentencing, delivered by 4th Judicial District Judge Nancy Baskin, follows Lopez's guilty plea to domestic battery with an enhancement for infliction of great bodily injury, stemming from a violent November 2025 incident in Meridian.
Background
The attack occurred on a day in November 2025 at a residence on West Flower Garden Street in Meridian, a fast-growing city west of Boise. Police arrived to find the victim suffering from multiple stab wounds to her head, face, neck, arm, and chest. She was transported to a nearby hospital in serious but stable condition.
According to the Ada County Prosecutors' Office, Lopez told his wife he was going to kill her during the assault. Four of the couple's children were present during the violence. Their 16-year-old child intervened by striking Lopez to stop the attack and subsequently called 911.
Lopez was not at the scene when law enforcement arrived. He fled to Oregon, where he later turned himself in. Oregon State Police reported that Lopez still had blood on his hands and was in possession of the knife used in the attack. He admitted to officers that he had stabbed his wife and expressed concern that she might be dead.
The defendant had a documented history of domestic violence and was on supervised probation at the time of this latest incident. In the weeks following the stabbing, Lopez was formally charged with several additional counts of witness intimidation. He initially pleaded not guilty to all counts during a hearing in March.
The Charges
Lopez pleaded guilty to one count of domestic battery or assault in the presence of a child, with a sentencing enhancement for infliction of great bodily injury. As part of the plea agreement, the witness intimidation counts were dismissed.
Judge Baskin imposed a 30-year prison sentence, with a minimum of 15 years required before Lopez becomes eligible for parole. The sentencing authority rests with the 4th Judicial District Court in Idaho, with prosecution handled by the Ada County Prosecutors' Office.
During the sentencing hearing, Judge Baskin delivered a stern rebuke to the defendant. 'I don't know that there could be a more serious offense, unless your victim had died,' Baskin stated. 'You don't get to stab the woman you love 26 times in the presence of your children. You continue to present a risk to those you claim to care for…you are a clear and present danger.'
Key Takeaways
- Juan Diego Ramos Lopez was sentenced to 30 years in prison with a 15-year minimum before parole eligibility.
- The victim suffered 26 stab wounds to the head, face, neck, arm, and chest but survived.
- The couple's 16-year-old child physically intervened to stop the attack and called 911.
- Lopez fled to Oregon after the incident but turned himself in; he was found with blood on his hands and the murder weapon.
- Witness intimidation charges were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.
- The judge noted Lopez was on supervised probation for prior domestic violence when the stabbing occurred.
What's Next
Lopez will begin serving his 30-year sentence at the Idaho State Correctional Institution. He will not be eligible for parole consideration for at least 15 years. The Ada County Prosecutors' Office confirmed the sentencing details in a press release, marking the conclusion of the criminal proceedings against Lopez for the November 2025 attack.