Jose Everado Vidal Leonor, 53, a citizen of Honduras, was sentenced April 13 for Lewd Conduct with a Child Under 16 The Honorable Michael J. Whyte, Seventh District Judge, sentenced Vidal Leonor to 26 years in prison, with no eligibility for parole for at least 6 years.

Logan Dakota Stephens, 25, was sentenced April 6, for Aggravated Battery in the shooting which occurred in June, 2024, in the Melaleuca store parking lot. The victim survived the shooting. Judge Michael J. Whyte sentenced Stephens to a unified sentence of 20 years in prison

After a 5 day jury trial, a Bonneville County jury on March 6 found Xue Fang Lu, 60, guilty of felony Interstate Trafficking of Prostitution and felony Procurement of Prostitution related to an illicit massage business operated out of the Fairbridge Inn in Idaho Falls in 2024

After a two-day jury trial, a Bonneville County jury on January 27, found Christian James Markmiller, 33, of Idaho Falls, guilty of Battery on a Peace Officer (felony) and Resisting/Obstructing a Peace Officer (misdemeanor) bonnevillecountyidaho.gov/pr…

Bonneville County Grand Jury indictment unsealed charging Eric Christopher Alvarado with First Degree Murder in the shooting death of Daniel Leary in June of this year at the boat ramp on North River Road. bonnevillesheriff.com/shooti…

It was a real privilege to have worked with this great man. Rest in peace, Sheriff Byron R. Stommel.

After a four day jury trial, Robert Wyatt Lange, 21, of Idaho Falls, was convicted of Second Degree Murder in the death of Alejandro Parades Hurtado which occurred in October, 2024, in Idaho Falls. Lange will be sentenced on December 5, 2025, and could face up to life in prison

DOUGLAS MELVIN HALL, 43, Ammon, was sentenced September 23 for Lewd Conduct with a Child Under 16. The Honorable Dane H. Watkins, Jr., Seventh District Judge, sentenced Hall to life in prison. This will be served concurrently with a life sentence Hall previously received in Utah

We mourn with BCSO the passing of recently retired Dep. Chris Williams this morning, after a 2 year battle with cancer. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Williams family. Rest in Peace Chris.

Luis Garcia-Diaz, 27, was sentenced September 2 for Vehicular Manslaughter from a collision which resulted in the deaths of six occupants of a passenger van to 30 years in prison. He will not be eligible for parole for 12 years and has an immigration detainer.

On August 26, 2025, Perry Myron Thomson, 51, of Idaho Falls was sentenced for Rape. The Honorable Dane H. Watkins, Jr., Seventh District Court Judge imposed a 25 year prison sentence with no possibility for parole for 23 years.

Today, after a two-day sentencing hearing in Teton County, Idaho, Jeremy Best, was sentenced by Judge Dane H. Watkins, Jr., to 3 consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole for the murders of 10 month old Zeke Best, Kali Randall and her unborn child, Freya.

ITD employee Shea McNama received a Commendation from Bonneville County Prosecuting Attorney Randy Neal for his work helping to secure a conviction for murder. ITD Director Scott Stokes, ITD COO Dan McElhinney, & District Engineer Jason Minzghor attended the presentation on 7/2.

Shocked and saddened by the news from Coeur d'Alene. These heroes and their families must face the uncertain dangers of their work every day. But to face such a senseless, evil violence is unthinkable. My heart goes out to those who made the ultimate sacrifice and all affected.

Two on-call prosecutors responded on Saturday to a death investigation in Idaho Falls. Prosecutors assisted with obtaining two search warrants. Detectives briefed prosecutors on evidence collected so far. The investigation continues; an autopsy has been scheduled.

GABRIEL AARON PERKINS, 20, pleaded guilty today to Voluntary Manslaughter in the death of Alex Barber and Aggravated Battery in the shooting of an Idaho Falls man at the Compass Academy in Idaho Falls, in February, 2024.

Check out this week's Washington Watch! buff.ly/ra7h3UB

🚨 Tell Congress to Pass H.R. 2243/S. 679 – The LEOSA Reform Act! 🚨 The Fraternal Order of Police is leading the charge to strengthen the Law Enforcement Officers’ Safety Act (LEOSA), a law that exempts qualified officers from laws that prohibit carrying concealed firearms. The LEOSA Reform Act amends current law so that officers are treated the same as State CCW permit holders by:
 ✅ Expanding the exemption to school zones, national parks, and certain Federal buildings (e.g., post offices, Social Security Administration, and VA facilities).
 ✅ Exempts restrictions on magazine capacity to ensure officers aren’t inadvertently exposed to legal jeopardy. This is a critical officer safety issue. The FOP is lobbying Congress, but we need YOUR voice to make this happen! Contact your Members of Congress today and urge them to support H.R. 2243/S. 679 to ensure law enforcement officers are protected—on and off duty. Call, email, or visit your representatives today! 👉 For more info: buff.ly/PzfI1FS #SupportLEOSA #LawEnforcement #OfficerSafety #LEOSAReform #BackTheBlue #FOP

It is difficult to imagine a better federal partner in the fight for justice than Josh Hurwit. He served as U.S. Attorney for Idaho with distinction and honor. He emphasized strong relationships with state and local prosecutors and law enforcement. Thank you, Josh!

Jeremy Best pleads guilty to three counts of murder.