Two Treasure Valley Men Sentenced to Prison for Kidnapping and Beating Teen Lured to Fake Photo Shoot
Why It Matters
A violent, premeditated assault on a young Idaho man serves as a stark reminder of dangers lurking in online encounters. The case drew resources from multiple Treasure Valley law enforcement agencies and resulted in significant prison time for both perpetrators.
What Happened
Devin Larson, 21, of Eagle, and Steen Thomas Lamb, 22, of Meridian, were sentenced Friday after pleading guilty to second-degree kidnapping for an attack carried out on September 5, 2025, in Eagle. District Judge Nancy Baskin handed down the sentences.
The victim, 18-year-old Jordan Carrillo, was drawn to a construction site subdivision in Eagle after arranging through social media to meet someone posing as a photographer interested in shooting pictures of his motorcycle. When he arrived, Larson was waiting. After one photo was taken, Carrillo was told to turn around — at which point Lamb emerged and deployed a stun gun on him from behind.
The attackers bound Carrillo’s wrists and ankles with zip ties, placed a bag over him, and subjected him to roughly an hour of repeated kicks, punches, and additional tasing. Lamb also pressed what appeared to be a firearm to Carrillo’s chest and threatened to kill him unless he ended his relationship with his girlfriend. The pair then seized his phone and sent messages to the girlfriend, falsely ending the relationship on Carrillo’s behalf.
Before releasing him, both men threatened to kill Carrillo or members of his family if he reported the crime. Carrillo said he rode away convinced he might be shot from behind.
The Sentences
Larson received a seven-year prison term with two years fixed. Lamb, whose conduct was judged more severe, received 13 years with three years fixed. Both men were also granted a rider, meaning the court retained jurisdiction to review the sentences after an initial period of incarceration.
By the Numbers
- 7 years — Larson’s prison sentence, with 2 years fixed
- 13 years — Lamb’s prison sentence, with 3 years fixed
- 18 — age of the victim at the time of the attack
- 3 — law enforcement agencies involved in the joint investigation: Star Police Department, Eagle Police Department, and Ada County Sheriff’s Office
- ~1 hour — duration of the assault as described by the victim
What Officials Said
Ada County Prosecutor Jan Bennetts praised the victim’s decision to come forward despite being threatened. “This was a planned, calculated attack on a young man who had no idea what was coming,” Bennetts said in a statement. “That kind of conduct demands accountability, and today’s sentence delivers it.”
Bennetts credited the collaborative investigation by Star Police, Eagle Police, and the Ada County Sheriff’s Office for bringing the case to conviction.
Zoom Out
The case underscores a broader pattern of criminals exploiting social media platforms to orchestrate real-world violence. Law enforcement agencies across Idaho have been increasingly active in targeting predatory criminal networks — efforts that include Operation No Return, which removed more than 100 criminals from Idaho and the United States in a recent multiagency sweep.
What’s Next
Both Larson and Lamb are expected to begin serving their sentences. The rider provisions leave open the possibility of judicial review after a period of retained jurisdiction, though both men face years in custody before any such review could occur.
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