Report on Professional Misconduct and Criminal Charges Against Alexander Brent Wills

This report details the criminal charges, professional sanctions, and public safety implications surrounding the case of Alexander Brent Wills, a Boise psychiatrist. The events underscore critical issues related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).

Executive Summary

Alexander Brent Wills, owner of PERMA Mental Health, faces felony sexual assault charges, has had his medical license suspended, and was arrested in California after fleeing Idaho. The case highlights severe breaches in patient trust and safety, impacting community health (SDG 3), involves the exploitation of female patients (SDG 5), and tests the responsiveness of judicial and regulatory institutions (SDG 16).

Analysis in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The actions attributed to Wills represent a direct violation of the core mission to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all. The abuse of a therapeutic relationship undermines the safety and mental health of patients, turning a place of healing into a source of harm.

• Breach of Patient Care: The alleged sexual assault and inappropriate advances compromise the fundamental principles of medical ethics and patient well-being.
• Disruption of Essential Services: The abrupt, unannounced closure of PERMA Mental Health clinics has left numerous patients without access to necessary psychiatric care and medication management, creating a public health gap.
• Community Health Response: In response, public health institutions like the Boise Police Behavioral Health Response Team are providing resources, directing affected individuals to the 988 crisis line to ensure continuity of care and mitigate negative health outcomes.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

The case demonstrates a clear instance of gender-based exploitation, where a male in a position of authority is alleged to have targeted female patients. This aligns with the SDG 5 objective to eliminate all forms of violence and exploitation against women and girls.

• Exploitation of Vulnerability: The allegations describe a pattern of behavior targeting female patients within the sanctity of a doctor-patient relationship.
• Abuse of Power Dynamics: The alleged actions, including luring a patient to a private location under false pretenses and making unwanted advances during a virtual appointment, exemplify an abuse of professional power that disproportionately affects women in vulnerable situations.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The response from law enforcement and regulatory bodies demonstrates the function of institutions designed to uphold justice, ensure accountability, and protect the public. The case serves as a critical test of these systems.

Institutional Actions and Accountability

1. Law Enforcement: The Boise Police Department conducted the initial investigation, leading to the arrest of Wills on September 30, 2025. Subsequent cooperation with the California Highway Patrol led to his apprehension after he fled jurisdiction.
2. Judicial System: The Ada County Prosecutor filed a felony charge of forcible penetration. The court system is managing multiple cases against Wills, including a prior domestic violence charge, and has ordered competency evaluations.
3. Regulatory Oversight: The Idaho State Board of Medicine acted decisively by issuing an emergency suspension of Wills’ medical license, citing an immediate danger to public health and safety. The board has also filed a formal complaint seeking permanent disciplinary action, reinforcing professional standards and accountability.

Wills’ act of cutting off his monitoring device and fleeing the state represents a direct challenge to the justice system. His subsequent recapture affirms the effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation in maintaining the rule of law.

Case Chronology and Key Findings

Criminal Allegations

• Case No. CR01-25-36163: Wills is charged with one felony count of forcible penetration by use of a foreign object against a patient (Patient 1) on August 29, 2025.
• Case No. CR01-24-34185: A separate, pending case from October 2024 involves two misdemeanor charges related to a domestic violence incident.
• Flight and Recapture: After posting a $500,000 bail, Wills removed his monitoring device and fled to Valencia, California, where he was arrested on October 10. He is awaiting extradition to Idaho.

Professional Sanctions and Misconduct

• License Suspension: The Idaho State Board of Medicine suspended license No. M-12500, citing immediate danger to public health.
• Formal Complaint Counts:
  1. Count I: Abuse or exploitation of a patient, specifically prohibiting sexual misconduct with a patient.
  2. Count II: Unprofessional conduct, citing a pattern of using therapeutic relationships to attempt personal meetings with female patients (Patient 1 and Patient 2).
• Abandonment of Patients: PERMA Mental Health ceased operations without notice in mid-September 2025, leaving patients without access to care or their medical providers.

Public Advisory

Authorities believe there may be additional victims. Individuals with information or those seeking support are encouraged to contact Ada County Dispatch or the Ada County Victims Services Center.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed in the Article

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • The article discusses the provision of psychiatric care and mental health services, which is central to SDG 3. The actions of the psychiatrist, Dr. Alexander Wills, represent a severe breach of professional ethics and patient safety, directly undermining the goal of ensuring healthy lives. The sudden closure of his practice, PERMA Mental Health, also disrupts the continuity of care for many patients, impacting their well-being.

2. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • This goal is relevant as the article details allegations of sexual assault and misconduct against female patients. The crimes described, such as “forcible penetration by use of a foreign object” and making unwanted sexual advances, are forms of gender-based violence. The article highlights the vulnerability of women in a doctor-patient relationship and the abuse of power, which are key concerns of SDG 5.

3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • The article is heavily focused on the response of the justice system and regulatory bodies to the alleged crimes. It describes the actions of the Boise Police Department, the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office, the court system (arraignment, bail, competency evaluation), and the Idaho State Board of Medicine. These elements all relate to ensuring access to justice, holding perpetrators accountable, and the functioning of effective and accountable institutions to protect public safety.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

   • The psychiatrist’s alleged abuse of his patients and the subsequent abrupt closure of his mental health clinics directly contravene the promotion of mental health and well-being. The article notes that uninvolved patients may need assistance with mental health resources or medication, highlighting the negative impact on the community’s mental well-being.

2. Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.

   • The article explicitly details a case of sexual assault (“forcible penetration”) against a female patient (Patient 1) and inappropriate advances of a “romantic or sexual nature” toward another (Patient 2). These actions represent violence and exploitation against women within a professional healthcare setting, directly aligning with the focus of this target.

3. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

   • The core of the article is the report of a violent crime—felony sexual assault. The investigation and legal proceedings against Dr. Wills are a direct response to this violence, reflecting efforts to address and reduce such acts.

4. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

   • The article outlines the entire justice process: a police report was filed, an investigation was conducted, the suspect was arrested and charged (case No. CR01-25-36163), arraigned, and bail was set. The fact that he fled and was subsequently arrested in another state, pending extradition, demonstrates the rule of law in action across jurisdictions.

5. Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.

   • The Idaho State Board of Medicine’s response is a clear example of an accountable institution. The board issued an “emergency order immediately suspending the medical license” of Dr. Wills, citing “an immediate danger to public health and safety.” It also filed a formal complaint (case No. 1842591) seeking permanent disciplinary action, demonstrating its role in protecting the public.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. Indicators for SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)

   • Disruption in Mental Health Services: The article implies an indicator through the “unexpected” closure of PERMA Mental Health clinics “without notice to patients.” The number of patients affected or the number of clinics suddenly ceasing operations could serve as a measure of disruption to essential health services.

2. Indicators for SDG 5 (Gender Equality)

   • Number of Reported Cases of Sexual Violence: The article mentions a police report of sexual assault filed on September 2 and states that “police believe there may be additional victims.” The number of official reports filed against the perpetrator is a direct indicator of violence against women being brought to the attention of authorities.

3. Indicators for SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

   • Number of Individuals Processed by the Justice System: The article provides specific case numbers for the criminal charges (CR01-25-36163) and the board’s disciplinary action (1842591). The progression of these cases through the legal and regulatory systems serves as an indicator of access to justice and institutional response.
   • Institutional Accountability Measures: The “emergency order immediately suspending the medical license” and the filing of a “formal complaint seeking permanent disciplinary action” by the Idaho State Board of Medicine are concrete, measurable actions that indicate institutional accountability.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

Source: ktvb.com