IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) \u2013 Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Ryan D. Nelson faces two misdemeanor charges after an April altercation in a parking lot outside of Brio Home Health and Hospice.<\/p>\n
The argument between Nelson and another man occurred on April 2, 2026. The dispute between the two men over a parking job quickly escalated, with Nelson grabbing the other man\u2019s sunglasses, throwing them across the parking lot and trying to knock a phone from the other individual\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n
The affidavit of probable cause states that \u201cNelson challenged him to fight.”<\/p>\n
Nelson then crushed the glasses with his foot.<\/p>\n
Nelson later told the Idaho Falls police officer investigating the incident that he knocked off the other man\u2019s glasses, but said he \u201cdid not touch him.\u201d\u00a0 He also confessed to \u201cstomping on the glasses.\u201d<\/p>\n
On May 13, he pled not guilty to charges of misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor malicious injury to property.<\/p>\n
Video published by the Post Register on Friday appears to confirm the incident.<\/p>\n
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals released a statement Monday that Chief Judge Mary H. Murguia is conducting an inquiry into a \u201ccomplaint of judicial misconduct\u201d based on \u201crecently received\u201d information.<\/p>\n
The order was published publicly and distributed to media to \u201cmaintain public confidence in the judiciary\u2019s ability to redress misconduct.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nelson was appointed by President Donald Trump to the Ninth Circuit in 2018.<\/p>\n
The Ninth Circuit\u2019s pending misconduct proceedings will be confidential, in accordance with federal law.<\/p>\n