The mayor of Spencer, Idaho, will face felony insurance fraud charges in district court after a magistrate judge ruled Tuesday that prosecutors presented sufficient evidence to move the case forward.
Magistrate Judge Wiley Dennert issued the bind-over order following a preliminary hearing held July 1, 2026, advancing the case against David Dwyane Price, 62, who has served as Spencer’s mayor since being sworn into office on January 26. Felony charges were formally filed against him less than three weeks later, on February 13.
What Prosecutors Allege
Price faces a single felony count of insurance fraud connected to a claim he filed with Idaho Farm Bureau over a damaged 2005 Northwest Jet Boat. According to the state’s case, Price submitted a handwritten bill of sale dated January 12, 2022, showing the boat was purchased for $215,000. However, state documents filed with the Department of Motor Vehicles listed the boat’s value at just $20,000 — a figure far below what Price reported to the insurer.
The insurance claim was filed on April 29, 2024, after the boat sustained damage. The state alleges Price submitted additional documentation on July 31, 2024. A repair estimate from Precision Inc. placed the damage at $149,793.20, while Idaho Farm Bureau’s settlement offer came in at $110,000 based on its assessment of the boat’s all-cash value.
Prosecutors called five witnesses during the preliminary hearing. Among the most significant was Aaron Eckert, identified as the original seller of the boat. Eckert testified that he sold the vessel to Price for $86,500 — a figure dramatically lower than the $215,000 listed on the bill of sale that Price allegedly submitted to the insurer. Eckert also disputed the authenticity of the document itself, telling the court, “This is not my handwriting on there.”
The gap between the claimed purchase price and what the original seller says he received forms the core of the fraud allegation. If Price did misrepresent the boat’s value to secure a larger insurance payout, prosecutors argue it constitutes a deliberate false statement made to an insurance agent — the basis of the felony charge.
Defense Pushes Back
Defense attorney Ronald Swafford disputed the state’s characterization of events, arguing that inconsistencies in the documentation do not amount to intentional fraud. He described the situation as “a conglomeration of errors and mistakes all the way through,” suggesting clerical or administrative issues rather than criminal intent.
Swafford’s argument did not persuade Judge Dennert that the case lacked probable cause, however, and the matter was bound over to district court for further proceedings.
The case draws attention not only for the financial figures involved but because of Price’s public role. Spencer is a small community in Clark County in eastern Idaho, and Price was elected to lead it. His swearing-in and the subsequent filing of criminal charges against him occurred within weeks of each other, placing the town’s leadership under scrutiny early in his tenure.
What Comes Next
With the bind-over complete, Price’s case moves to district court, where he will be formally arraigned on the felony insurance fraud count. District court proceedings typically include further pre-trial motions, potential plea negotiations, and, if no agreement is reached, a jury trial. Deputy Attorney General Sam Camp is handling prosecution on behalf of the state.
No trial date has been announced. The outcome of the case could have significant implications for Price’s ability to continue serving as Spencer’s mayor, as a felony conviction carries legal consequences that vary by statute regarding eligibility for public office.
For more on felony court proceedings in eastern Idaho, readers can follow related coverage, including a Bonneville County judge’s recent ruling on the Compass Academy shooting case and details on a Challis man facing 13 felony counts tied to alleged abuse material.