UPDATE

The following is an update from Jefferson County Sheriff Steve Anderson:

On Sept. 3, at approximately 8:50 p.m. Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies and Idaho State Police responded to the area of 4474 E. 200 N. in reference to a possible domestic disturbance.

Further investigation revealed that the suspect, a 53-year-old male, brandished a loaded firearm and allegedly pointed the handgun at his wife and threatened to kill her. The victim was able to flee the scene.

When officers arrived, the suspect barricaded himself into his residence and communicated through a window to the officers. The suspect made numerous threats to law enforcement and refused to come out of the residence. The assistance of the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office tactical team was requested to assist.

Surrounding residents were evacuated for their safety. Negotiations carried on for approximately seven hours in an attempt to try and negotiate the suspect into surrendering peacefully.

At 4:16 a.m. negotiations failed and the suspect fired on the officers. The suspect was shot and killed at the scene. No officers were injured during the incident.

The names involved will be withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The Southeast Idaho Critical Incident Team was dispatched to investigate the incident. The Southeast Idaho Critical Incident Team consists of the following agencies: ISP, Bannock County Sheriff’s Office, Bingham County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho Falls Police Dept., Blackfoot Police Dept., Chubbuck Police Dept., Teton County Sheriff’s Office, Fremont County Sheriff’s Office and Rexburg Police Dept.

An autopsy of the suspect will be conducted on Sept. 5. Further information will be released when available.

ORIGINAL STORY

One person is dead following a standoff with law enforcement in Jefferson County.

The situation is unfolding in the area of 200 North and 4500 East and neighbors say police have been on the scene for hours.

Sheriff Steve Anderson tells EastIdahoNews.com deputies were dealing with a barricaded person that turned into an officer-involved shooting. The suspect was shot and killed.

This is a developing story. EastIdahoNews.com has a reporter on the scene and we will post new information as we receive it.

AMMON — A local company is offering a $1,500 reward after employees say tools were stolen from a work van.

Workers with Bell Hardwood Floors found over $9,000 worth of tools missing from their green GMC van Tuesday after returning from the Labor Day holiday weekend.

“We had an employee call around 9 a.m. when he was getting something out of his van and he realized another van had been broken into,” said Brittany Lynn Crumley, spokeswoman for Bell Hardwood Floors. “They broke in through a window.”

The company suspects the thief used a tool to open the pop-open window to unlock the door. Crumley says among the stolen items are personal tools owned by the employees.

“We are really upset that this has happened,” Crumley said. “The tools and equipment that were taken are used everyday for our workers to help bring a paycheck home to their families.”

A list of items stolen includes:

• Super 7 Edger #XE225Air 2 Go Dewalt compresser #12371010512
• Flip Toe kick edger #38900
• Dewalt 12” slide miter saw #914094 – 20064949
• Dewalt 10” table saw
• 2 central numeric flooring staple guns
• Passlode finish nailer model t 250-e16 #500970
• Portable cable 18 gage brad nailer #1188802B4024
• Bosh jigsaw #001001859
• Pam hot glue gun #HB22
• 2 extension cords 50 foot
• 160 feet of black 220 machine cord
• 100 feet of yellow 220 machine cord
• Ceno Cyclone extreme 2 floor buffer

A toolbox with an assortment of tools was also taken from the van.

The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the theft. Anyone with information is asked to call (208) 529-1200.

IDAHO FALLS — Witnesses told detectives that a man fatally shot Monday evening intended to fight the alleged shooter over a relationship with a woman.

Police say Rory Neddo, 30, was shot in the face, by Marshall Hendricks, 29, in the driveway of a home on the 4000 North block of 5th West. Hendricks is now charged with second-degree murder for allegedly shooting and killing Neddo.

A witness to the shooting told detectives she and Neddo dated for seven years before breaking up several months ago, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by EastIdahoNews.com. While the two went camping over the weekend, Neddo accused her of having a relationship with Hendricks.

Following the camping trip, the witness dropped Neddo off at his mother’s home before driving to her friend’s house on 5th West. Detectives learned Hendricks and this friend were in a relationship at the time of the shooting.

RELATED: Man accused of murder appeared in court last week, has extensive criminal history

In their report, deputies wrote a call between Neddo and Hendricks was made on speakerphone with the two women present. During the call, witnesses say Neddo said he was on the way to fight Hendricks. After hanging up the phone, court documents indicate Hendricks and the two women discussed how Neddo could beat up Hendricks.

“Marshall made a statement like, ‘The only way to stop Rory is to shoot him,'” court documents say.

Neddo’s brother drove him to the house Monday night and stayed in the car when the shooting occurred.

“Marshall grabbed a handgun from (a woman’s) waist and as Rory approached him and aggressed him he pointed the gun and shot him in the face one time,” witnesses told the detectives. “Marshall then gave the gun back to (the woman) and got into her car … and drove away.”

Detectives say witnesses told them as soon as Neddo stepped out of the car Hendricks pointed the gun. The witnesses say as Neddo approached Hendricks, he said “Do it, do it, do it,” according to court documents.

Deputies found the .40 caliber handgun used in the shooting sitting on a table in the garage with Neddo’s body laying on the driveway.

Hendricks drove to a Jefferson County Sheriff deputy’s home and said he had shot someone. Idaho State Police troopers and other Jefferson County Sheriff deputies were called to the home and Hendricks was taken into custody, according to court documents.

Detectives say after taking Hendricks to the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, he asked for a lawyer before speaking with investigators.

Both Neddo and Hendricks have extensive criminal histories. According to the Idaho Department of Correction,
Hendricks is on parole after being convicted of felonies in Bonneville County and Jefferson County related to a high-speed chase and theft of a truck. At the time of those charges in 2016, Hendricks was on probation after spending time on a rider program for a grand theft charge. Hendricks was released from prison one year ago this month.

One week ago, he appeared in Jefferson County for misdemeanor battery. According to an affidavit of probable cause, a witness told deputies Hendricks began yelling at another man on June 12 before punching him. A fight ensued and Hendricks ended up putting his hands around the neck of the victim, according to detectives.

In 2016, Neddo was involved in a stand-off with Idaho Falls Police for six hours after law enforcement attempted to serve him with warrants for domestic violence. During the stand-off, police said Neddo made threats to shoot officers and barricaded himself in the home. Neddo was released from prison one year ago this month after serving time for numerous felonies.

Hendricks remains held in the Bonneville County Jail on $200,000 bail. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Sept. 17.

If convicted of second-degree murder, Hendricks would spend ten years to life in prison.

JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. – The Teton County Sheriff’s Office in Wyoming is investigating the death of two people.

A home health worker found a dead woman in a home in the Hoback area Wednesday around 12:30 p.m., according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.

Deputies determined the woman died from gunshot wounds. They also found the body of a man next to the woman with a handgun nearby. The man also appeared to have suffered a “traumatic injury.”

There is no danger to the public and no outstanding suspects are being sought at this time, deputies said.

Investigators with the sheriff’s office, the Teton County Coroner’s Office and the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation are at the house trying to determine what happened.

As of Wednesday afternoon, next of kin had not yet been notified.

We will post more information when it is available.

The following is a news release from the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office.

On Sept. 5, at about 7:45 p.m., Bingham County Deputies noticed a silver Volkswagen Jetta strike a parked car then drove off. Deputies went after the vehicle attempting to get them to stop.

One county deputy who was on foot stopped the vehicle and then the vehicle tried to run over the deputy. A pursuit started with the vehicle going on Highway 91 then turning left on Alice then right on Pendleberry. The vehicle drove to the end of Pendleberry to Christianson Lane, where it crashed through a fence.

The vehicle then drove into an Idaho State Police trooper’s car then continued down Christenson Lane. The vehicle then drove through another fence into a cut grain field.

The Idaho State Police trooper performed a PIT maneuver and the Silver Jetta stopped. When the Jetta stopped, it started on fire and the trooper’s car also started on fire. The trooper and the deputies were able to get both occupants out of the vehicle but both the trooper’s car and the suspect’s cars burned to the ground. They were both a total loss.

The driver of the Jetta, 23-year-old Beaumon C. Pandoah from Fort Hall, was charged with DUI, aggravated battery on a certain person (a police officer), aggravated assault times three on a certain person (police officers) and felony pursuit.

Daylin Lee Farmer, 23, from Pocatello, is being charged with principle to the above felony charges.

Both subjects were placed in the Bingham County Jail.

IDAHO FALLS — Prosecutors have charged a man who they say arranged a sale of drugs that led to his friend’s death.

First responders found Jerrad Donald Haley, 30, dead in his apartment on Feb. 4. An autopsy revealed he died from a drug overdose.

Christopher Allen Rhondeau, 30, told investigators he arranged the sale of the heroin and methamphetamine found in Haley’s body, according to court documents obtained by EastIdahoNews.com.

According to police reports, Rhondeau and Haley were looking for a fix the evening of Feb. 3 when Rhondeau said he had a connection to a dealer. The pair reportedly drove to McDonald’s on 17th Street to meet with a known drug dealer and purchased heroin and methamphetamine. They then drove back to an apartment on 17th Street where they were staying the night.

In an interview with a tenant at the apartment, investigators learned Rhonadeau, his girlfriend and Haley went into the back room. Both Rhondeau and the woman agreed to speak with detectives but failed to show up to interviews. Police located the couple on Feb. 13 at a motel and they gave conflicting stories, prompting detectives to interview again.

Rhondeau told detectives Haley injected himself with the meth and heroin before falling to the floor struggling to breathe. Rhondeau said he performed CPR and Haley began throwing up, according to court documents.

“Chris says that he thought that Jerrod was ok so he and (the girlfriend) gathered up their stuff and left,” according to court documents.

Hours later the tenant in the apartment found Haley on the floor with a shirt covering his face. A toxicology report showed high levels of meth and heroin with a blood alcohol content of .021. When detectives asked Rhondeau why the shirt was on Haley’s face if he was alive when they left, he said he didn’t know.

Rhondeau became emotional and told detectives he actually failed to revive his friend and they left out of fear, according to court documents.

“Both Chris Rhondeau and (the girlfriend) knew that Jerrad had died and made no effort to contact any emergency services,” a detective writes in his report. “It is unknown exactly how the deal went down in regards to whether Chris or Jerrad bought the drugs.”

Prosecutors did not charge the girlfriend or dealer in connection to the overdose but Rhondeau is charged with felony principal to deliver a controlled substance and infliction of great bodily injury enhancement.

Idaho does not have a statute to charge someone for this exact situation, according to Bonneville County Chief Deputy Prosecutor John Dewey. Dewey says federal codes allow federal prosecutors file charges but in this case, that didn’t happen. Dewey says a principal charge implies an individual has some level of liability in the crime.

Rhondeau is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Sept. 13. If convicted, he could spend up to life in prison for the principal delivery charge and the enhancement may add an additional 20 years.

FRUITLAND (Idaho Statesman) — A former Fruitland Police officer remains in jail after being charged with eight felony sex crimes for accusations of the sexual abuse of multiple juveniles.

Alexander Plaza, 25, was charged last week in Payette County and he is being held in the Washington County jail on a $500,000 bond. The criminal complaint cites at least four alleged victims, ranging in age from 15 to 17.

The alleged sexual abuse happened between October 2017 and June of 2019. On at least one occasion he solicited a 16 or 17-year-old to engage in sexual activity, according to a copy of his criminal complaint. Plaza is also accused of asking the child to send him pictures of his genitalia and on at least one occasion he made a recording of a juvenile’s genitalia.

The criminal complaint alleges that in 2018, Plaza did sexually abuse a 17-year-old.

Plaza is charged on suspicion of six counts of soliciting a child, ages 16 or 17, to participate in sexual battery, one count of sexual abuse of a child younger than age 16, and one count of sexual battery by lewd conduct with a child ages 16 or 17.

If convicted, Plaza could face a life sentence.

Fruitland Police Chief J.D. Huff confirmed in a news release that Plaza was an officer with his department but he resigned in June.

“In regard to the arrest of Alexander Plaza, he served as a Fruitland reserve police officer from April 2015 to November 2018,” Huff said in the news release. “Plaza served in full-time police officer capacity for approximately three months from November 1, 2018, to February 4, 2019, when he was placed back into a reserve officer status as he was unable to meet the minimum fitness standards.”

At the time of his resignation in June, he was serving in a reserve officer capacity.

The Canyon County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed the charges against Plaza, serving as a special prosecutor for Payette County.

Plaza’s next court date is set for Sept. 16 in Payette County.

BOISE — An inmate who was found unresponsive in his cell in August has died at a Boise hospital, according to an Idaho Department of Correction news release.

John M. Cope, 59, was pronounced dead at 8:51 p.m. Friday, according to the release. He had previously been found hanging in his cell at about 3:40 a.m. on Aug. 31 at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution near Kuna.

The apparent suicide is under investigation.

Cope was serving a life sentence for killing and decapitating Brian K. Elliot, a shoe salesman from Lewiston in 2002. Nearly a year later, Cope pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison.

Cope would later contend that his life sentence was excessive and appealed his case to the Idaho Supreme Court in 2006. Ultimately, the Supreme Court upheld the sentence.

In reviewing the case, then Chief Justice Gerald F.Schroeder wrote, “This was a gruesome and horrifying crime that warrants the sentence imposed by the District Court. It would be difficult to rationalize any other sentence,” according to the Lewiston Tribune.

The following is a news release from Idaho State Police.

BOISE — On Sept. 8, at approximately 4:53 p.m., the Idaho State Police was notified of a possible impaired driver westbound on Interstate 84, east of Boise in Ada County.

The reporting party stated a silver 2013 Acura TL was unable to maintain its lane and driving at varying speeds. Troopers located the vehicle near the Broadway exit and attempted to conduct a traffic stop.

The vehicle pulled to the side of the Interstate and then took off at a high rate of speed as the trooper was approaching the vehicle. The Acura rear-ended a 2017 Ford F150 while evading police. The Acura continued west on Interstate 84, where it took the Vista Avenue off-ramp.

Troopers initiated a PIT (Pursuit Intervention Technique) maneuver on the Vista Avenue off-ramp. The Acura spun around and continued towards Vista Avenue. The Acura turned north onto Vista Avenue, where troopers initiated a second PIT maneuver. The Acura spun around and became disabled.

The suspect, later identified as Oscar C. Moreno, exited the vehicle and attempted to elude troopers on foot. Troopers caught Moreno after a short time and placed him into custody.

A drug detection K-9 from the Boise Police Department assisted with the location of contraband within the Acura. Moreno was transported to the Ada County Jail where he was charged with: driving under the influence – excessive, possession of an open container of alcohol, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting and obstructing officers, and felony attempting to elude a police officer.

The Idaho State Police would like to thank all the citizens who report impaired or dangerous drivers on Idaho’s roadways. We would also like to remind people if law enforcement is pulling you over, please pull over for the safety of yourself and others.

REXBURG — A man who pleaded guilty to having sex with a 14-year-old girl “was looking for love in all the wrong places,” his defense attorney said in a sentencing hearing Monday.

Connor Hammond, 22, will spend at least four years in prison for the rape, with a maximum of 10 years possible. He must also pay a $1,000 fine, $5,000 to the victim and restitution. Hammond originally pleaded guilty to felony rape where the victim is under 16 and two felony counts of lewd conduct with a minor in July.

The sentence came after more than an hour of contradicting accounts of Hammond’s character. According to court documents, the former Brigham Young University-Idaho student engaged in a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl in January and February.

“We don’t know the important things about Mr. Hammond that we need to know,” said Madison County Prosecuting Attorney Rob Wood. “We don’t know them because he won’t tell us. At least not in a way that a polygraph will tell us he is.”

Wood said Hammond took a polygraph as part of a pre-sentencing investigation and psychosexual evaluation. During the interview, the examiner asked Hammond questions related to his sexual history. Results from the test showed deception, prompting investigators to push deeper and revealing a troublesome past, they said.

“The victim, in this case, is not the first child he engaged in sexual activity with,” Wood said. “Yes, this might be his first conviction, (but) it’s not the first time he’s engaged with a minor child in sexual activity.”

Wood said Hammond told investigators that while he was serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Australia, he fondled the exposed breast of a girl at least twice over a five- to six-month period. Wood did not give details about the encounters, but if church authorities knew of the behavior, its policy dictates Hammond would have been sent home from his mission and reported to law enforcement.

In further interviews, Hammond said within the past year, he fondled the breast of a 17-year-old girl while in Oregon.

Wood said Hammond does not accept full responsibility for the rape and lewd conduct. In court, Wood revealed Hammond met the 14-year-old victim on Tinder, an adult dating app. Hammond also suggested that he wanted to have a longterm relationship with her and settle down together.

“That is mind-boggling that any 21-year-old at BYU-Idaho would think they’re going to settle down with a 14-year-old and have a family,” Wood said. “This is manipulative. He’s trying to make us think he has these good intentions.”

Defense attorneys Kristopher Meek and Dan Dummar presented quotes from a list of Hammond’s supporters, including church leaders, family, friends and former mission companions.

“The first moment we were able to speak with Connor in the days after his arrest, he struggled to speak with us because he was so distraught and upset,” Chris Hammond, Connor Hammond’s father, said in court. “I will never forget one of the first things he said to me was, ‘Now I’ll never have my own family.’ He thought that his life was over.”

He described his son as a naive dreamer lacking in maturity but said Hammond would be successful on probation. Chris Hammond said they’ve secured employment opportunities for Hammond and treatment through a 12-step program while asking that his son return to live with them in Oregon.

“As Connor’s parents, we’ve spent the last six and a half months analyzing the circumstances and the choices that have lead to this court,” said Elise Hammond, Connor Hammond’s mother. “Connor has been humble and broken from the moment he’s been booked in jail, and he’s frequently acknowledged his choices and how they’ve broken hearts.”

She said they’ve had to exercise strength in not posting the $200,000 bail.

“We feel assured that we have prepared what is needed to aid in Connor’s success,” Elise Hammond said.

Meek said Hammond made poor choices, but it shouldn’t be the only thing the court looks at when deciding a sentence.

“It’s been said Mr. Hammond was looking for love in all the wrong places,” Meek said. “That could not be any more true today than it was at the time this incident took place.”

Meek said Hammond attempted to find love with other adults and that his client’s wish for a relationship led him to seek out the victim.

“At first (the victim) posed herself as an adult on Tinder,” Meek said. “She’s a 14-year-old individual who clearly lied in her statement when she signed up for this app.”

Hammond did learn the victim’s true age before engaging in a relationship with the girl, Meek said.

“Connor at the time was needy. He wanted to be in a relationship and to find love,” Meek said. “She asked if they could be boyfriend and girlfriend, perfectly playing into his psychological issue … He found someone he could depend on for part of that emotional connection he needed. … He (recognizes) now that he needed her but should have been smart enough to end it.”

Hammond’s attorneys recommended that he serve probation and cited the psychosexual evaluation’s recommendation of probation. Wood argued that prison would be the best option.

“I don’t think anyone can say the defendant really accepts responsibility for what happened,” Wood said. “He saw a vulnerable child, and he pounced.”

Hammond briefly spoke during the sentencing and said he knows he has a lot of weaknesses but hopes to turn those into strengths.

“I just want everyone to know that I’m really, really sorry,” Hammond said. “Especially BYU-Idaho, my family, the victim and her family.”

District Judge Steven Boyce agreed with Wood that Hammond belongs behind bars and ordered him to go to prison.

“There are a lot of aggravating factors in this case,” Boyce said. “I do have some concerns about the posture of the description of the events where I do think there’s been a fair amount of blame attempted to be put upon the victim.”

Once Hammond is released from prison, he is required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

IDAHO FALLS — The man accused of killing Angie Dodge appeared in a Bonneville County courtroom Monday and pleaded not guilty to the crimes.

Brian L. Dripps is charged with first-degree murder and rape in the 1996 death of the Idaho Falls 18-year-old. Police tied Dripps to the case after groundbreaking DNA testing led detectives to the Caldwell man in May.

After being arrested, Idaho Falls Police detectives say Dripps confessed to the crimes. He is being held in the Bonneville County Jail.

Click here for complete coverage on the Angie Dodge case

IDAHO FALLS — Marci Allen hopes her son, Peyton Allen, will be remembered as a fun kid who loved to serve others.

On June 19, 2018, Peyton was hit and killed by the driver of an SUV while riding his motorcycle to work on Sunnyside Road in Idaho Falls. The man behind the wheel, 42-year-old Kevin Scott Spaulding, was sentenced Tuesday for misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter.

Magistrate Judge Stephen Clark ordered Spaulding to serve the maximum sentence of one year in jail. Clark suspended eight months of the sentence, meaning Spaulding will serve 120 days before being released on probation for two years.

Moments after the hearing ended, Marci Allen approached Spaulding and asked to speak with him. They sat together in the courtroom for several minutes and spoke about Peyton.

“I had to connect with him,” Allen told EastIdahoNews.com. “I at least had to try … I wanted to end things with at least a connection.”

Three months ago, Spaulding pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter as part of a plea agreement. Prosecutors agreed to dismiss two unrelated felony burglary charges he received in March. Spaulding will plead guilty to a felony grand theft charge related to those burglaries and is expected to be sentenced on Sept. 30.

“I’m just extremely sorry for the family’s loss,” Spaulding told EastIdahoNews.com as he left the courtroom.

WATCH: KEVIN SPAULDING LEAVES COURT TUESDAY MORNING

Idaho Falls prosecutor Jeff Thomason said the nature of the crime is an “insult” to Peyton’s family and mentioned that it’s ironic Spaulding will spend more time behind bars for taking someone’s items than for taking someone’s life.

“In our office, these are the most difficult cases we prosecute,” Thomason said. He recommended Spaulding serve the maximum sentence of one year.

Spaulding’s defense attorney, Justin Oleson, said regardless of the outcome, it can’t heal wounds or fill the void left in Peyton’s family. Oleson asked Judge Clark to sentence Spaulding to probation rather than jail time.

When asked if he wanted to make a statement, Spaulding briefly spoke and apologized for his actions.

Afterward, Marci Allen said the sentencing will help bring closure to her family.

“I’m ok with it. I’m at peace with it. I want him to make good changes and be a better person and be a good member of our community,” Allen said. “I hope that between this and whatever comes from his felonies help him do that.”

Peyton wrestled, ran cross country and was an Eagle scout. He was close with his brother and sisters, who attended the hearing.

“Obviously there’s nothing that’s going to completely fill that void there is now,” Tristan Allen, Peyton’s brother, said. “But it’s always nice to know that the person who killed my brother … is not on the streets and is getting consequences and getting better for what he did.”

Peyton’s sister, Torie Allen, added, “I wish he had waited the two seconds and Peyton would still be alive. I wish there could be more consequence than there is.”

Marci Allen hopes to follow her son’s example of positivity and his ability to move forward when others say or do something hurtful. She will always remember his laugh and how he was “kind of a teddy bear at heart.”

Spaulding will report to jail on Friday. He was also ordered to pay court fines and restitution to the Allen family. The sentence could be impacted by his felony crimes, which could carry a more severe punishment.

Judge Clark ordered Spaulding’s driver’s license be suspended for two years with restrictions in place once reinstated.

“I know wherever Peyton is, he is looking down on us, including Mr. Spaulding,” Clark said at the end of the hearing.

Jason Lee Verwer has pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of Matthew and Amelia Parkinson, a young couple who were run over on a Fruitland sidewalk as they walked hand-in-hand in January 2018.

Verwer indicated in April that he had reached a plea deal with prosecutors, but ended up backing out.

In Payette County Court on Tuesday, the Idaho Statesman reports he entered guilty pleas. His pleas were not part of a deal, Payette County Prosecutor Ross Pittman said. His attorneys, Kelly Whiting and Jolene Maloney, did not returns calls for comment.

Verwer will be sentenced at 9 a.m. on Jan. 28, 2020 — almost two years to the day that the Parkinsons were killed. He faces 10 years to life in prison and a $15,000 fine for each count.

Matthew Parkinson, 23, and Amelia Parkinson, 17, who were married at the Payette County Courthouse in December 2017, were killed at about 3 p.m. on Jan. 24, 2018.

Matthew and Amelia Parkinson on their wedding day in December 2017. Submitted photo
Prosecutors said Verwer intentionally struck the Parkinsons on a sidewalk along U.S. 95 in Fruitland, south of the intersection with NW 3rd Street, knocking them in the air and dragging them into the parking lot of Keithly Williams Seeds. Both died in the grisly scene.

His 1980s Chevy Celebrity was traveling at an estimated 62 mph when it struck the Parkinsons from behind.

“He drove straight at them, like he centered the car,” a witness testified at Verwer’s preliminary hearing in March last year.

Verwer did not know the Parkinsons, and prosecutors never determined a motive.

After the crash, Verwer got out of his car and made lewd gestures at a man responding to help the Parkinsons. He was apprehended by a Fruitland police officer. She testified that he did not speak much, other than one-word answers.

Verwer had a mental evaluation after his initial court appearance and found to be competent to participate in his own defense.

IDAHO FALLS — A man was arrested after being accused of threatening two teenage girls into having sex with him.

Charles Jordan Christiansen, 25, is facing one charge of sexual battery of a child after a 17-year-old girl told investigators he’d allegedly coerced her and her 15-year-old friend into having sex with him in October 2018.

According to documents, the 17-year-old victim told investigators Christiansen contacted her and her friend via Snapchat. He allegedly told them that if they didn’t go out to his truck and have sex with him he would tell all of their friends that they did have sex with him and gave him a sexually transmitted disease.

The victim said they had sex with Christiansen in the back of his truck “so their reputations would not be ruined.”

She also said, sometime before that night, Christiansen allegedly contacted her through Snapchat and said he would pay her $50 a week if she would perform oral sex on him three times a week.

When investigators questioned Christiansen, he allegedly admitted to having sex with the two victims but thought it was in August 2018.

According to court documents, Christiansen said it was the girls’ idea to have sex, and he went along with it because “he has no self-control.”

Investigators said in the statement of probable cause that they have not been able to identify the 15-year-old victim because the first victim won’t give them her friend’s information.

Christiansen is facing up to life in prison if convicted of sexual battery of a child.

He was released from the Bonneville County Jail on a $25,000 bond Saturday.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 27.

POCATELLO — A local man who escaped police custody and was later apprehended by a SWAT team appeared in court Wednesday.

Samiir Afraid of Bear was arrested in August on several outstanding warrants in multiple counties. He escaped by breaking out the window of a police car, according to authorities. Law enforcement found Afraid of Bear the same day and arrested him after a short standoff in Chubbuck.

He appeared in court Wednesday for two cases. One involved felony burglary and the other case involved felony injury to jail property (the police vehicle he escaped from) and escape.

Afraid of Bear waived his rights to a preliminary hearing and will be bound over to district court on both cases. His next court date has not yet been set.

He’s still being held on $75,000 dollar bond for the burglary charge and $100,000 dollar bond for the other charges.

BLACKFOOT — A Blackfoot woman is being held on $200,000 bail after deputies say she entered the home of a man she previously lived with in an unsuccessful attempt to kill him.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, on Aug. 29, Isabelle Jolley, 18, entered the home of Andrew Young, 32, at 600 West 300 North without permission. With a loaded handgun in hand, Jolley pulled the trigger while pointing it at Young. The gun failed to fire and Young swatted it out of Jolley’s hand.

Detectives say Jolley ran out the house and into her 1997 Buick Lesabre, and Young picked up the gun and chased her.

“Isabelle Jolley drove off in the car, and Andrew Young shot approximately six to nine times, striking the car and hitting Isabelle Jolley in the knee, and she received a wound on her head from the shooting,” the probable cause reads.

Jolley stopped at a Maverick in Blackfoot while driving herself to the hospital and called 911, according to court documents. While first responders treated Jolley’s wounds, her mother, Gwendolyn Barrington, 49, arrived yelling. When law enforcement tried to de-escalate the situation, Barrington allegedly hit the deputy in the face twice.

Barrington was arrested. When she arrived at the Bingham County Jail, she allegedly bit correctional staff and yelled that she should not be in jail, upset with the fact her daughter had just been shot, according to court documents.

Investigators spoke with Young and he admitted to chasing Jolley and firing the gun several times, a detective writes.

Jolley told detectives she entered the home intending to shoot Young or herself. Court documents do not detail why.

However a no-contact order was issued between Jolley and Young in early July while the two lived together. In that incident, Young shoved Jolley, which caused a gash in her leg when she landed onto a metal sink, according to an affidavit of probable cause. Also during the incident, Young allegedly threw Barrington and her TV onto the ground.

Prosecutors charged Young with felony domestic battery causing traumatic injury, misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor malicious injury to property for the July incident.

Young is charged with two felony counts of aggravated battery and one felony count of unlawful discharge of a firearm and being held in the Bingham County Jail on $200,000 bail.

Jolley was charged with felony attempted first-degree murder and felony burglary.

Barrington was charged with assault or battery upon certain personnel and assault on a correction officer. Her bail was set at $50,000.

Jolley made her initial court appearance Monday, and Young and Barrington’s preliminary hearings are scheduled for Thursday.

ST ANTHONY — An Ashton man who entered an Alford plea in the sexual abuse of children is going to prison.

The abuse is covered in two court cases, and many of the details are sealed. Duncan Earl Bollinger, 62, began to abuse a female victim in 2014 when she was 11 years old, and it continued for three years, according to court documents obtained by EastIdahoNews.com. He signed the Alford plea agreement on June 25 for two counts of felony lewd conduct of a child.

An Alford plea allows a defendant to maintain his innocence, but admits a jury would likely find them guilty with the evidence presented.

District Judge Steven Boyce sentenced Bollinger to 12 to 24 years on each of the counts to run concurrently for the felony lewd conduct charges.

RELATED: Man accused of sexually abusing child for three years

Court documents suggest drugs were involved in the sex abuse; however, prosecutors only charged Bollinger for the sex offenses.

“The evidence of him giving the minors drugs was in the pre-sentencing investigation,” according to court documents.

In addition to going to prison, Bollinger is required to register as a sex offender. Boyce ordered him to pay $2,000 in fines, $10,000 in civil penalties and to pay into the victim’s relief fund.

Bollinger is ordered to have no contact with the victims and was given credit for the 17 months he spent in jail.

SALT LAKE CITY — Nathan Vogel was sentenced to time served and three years probation for procuring the handgun ultimately used to kill University of Utah student Lauren McCluskey.

The sentence was a part of a deal Vogel struck with federal prosecutors where he cooperated with their investigation into McCluskey’s murder.

“He’s a decent person, and that’s all I have to say,” Vogel’s attorney, Randy Ludlow, told FOX 13 as he left the federal courthouse.

As he left court, Vogel attempted to cover his face with an umbrella and walked quickly past reporters, declining to answer a question seeking comment.

Vogel and his friend, Sarah Lady, were indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with a “straw buy” of the handgun that was used to kill Lauren McCluskey outside her college dorm last year. Vogel was accused of taking Lady into a gun store to purchase the .40 caliber Beretta, then turning around and giving the gun to Melvin Rowland — who killed McCluskey and later himself.

RELATED | Police release chilling audio of University of Utah student’s 911 calls for help prior to her killing

McCluskey briefly dated Rowland but broke it off after she discovered he’d lied about his age and his past. Vogel, who came forward after learning of McCluskey’s murder and cooperated with police, said he was also deceived by Rowland. Ludlow told U.S. District Court Judge Tena Campbell that Vogel knew Rowland as “Shawn Matthews” at the bar they both worked at. Rowland told him he wanted the gun for target practice and was to pay him $400 for it, Ludlow said.

Vogel also told the judge that he had socialized with Rowland and McCluskey briefly and apologized for what happened.

“I accept full responsibility for what has happened. It’s extremely sad,” Vogel said in court. “I shake when I think about it. I cry when I think about it.”

McCluskey’s family agreed to the deal and the sentence, prosecutors told the judge. Lauren’s mother, Jill McCluskey, declined to comment when contacted by FOX 13 on Wednesday.

RELATED | Family speaks out after University of Utah student allegedly killed by ex-boyfriend

“Mr. Vogel should have never done this. If he hadn’t ever given the gun to Mr. Rowland, Ms. McCluskey likely would be alive today,” assistant U.S. Attorney Carlos Esqueda told reporters outside of court.

Melvin Rowland

Prosecutors have agreed to give Lady a diversion agreement. Her case has been delayed for 18 months and, if she continues to cooperate, then the case against her will be dismissed.

“Ms. Lady cooperated in our investigation. She brought forth facts that we were aware of but couldn’t confirm regarding Mr. Vogel. She has absolutely no criminal history. The evidence indicates Mr. Vogel used her as well,” Esqueda said. “They had known each other for 11 days. She thought they were an item.”

Vogel, who also has no prior criminal history, has already served 10 days in a federal facility.

“I don’t think he had an intent to have Ms. McCluskey murdered, but this goes to show you that when you obtain a gun illegally, they always, always end up in the wrong hands,” Esqueda said. “Tragic events happen.”

This story first appeared on fellow CNN affiliate KSTU. It is used here with permission.

IDAHO FALLS — A man tried to Tase a police officer, now he’s going to prison.

Nicholas Neely, 27, was sentenced to five years in prison with two and a half years fixed for two counts of battery on law enforcement earlier this month.

On March 23, Idaho Falls Police responded to a call about a man breaking the windows of an Idaho Falls home. When the officer arrived, he found Neely outside. The officer asked Neely where he lived and what had happened. Neely just shrugged and tried to walk away, according to court documents.

The officer stopped Neely and told him to sit down which he did. The officer continued to question Neely, but Neely refused to respond and made rude gestures at the officer.

According to court documents, Neely was acting erratically and the officer decided to detain him. When the officer told Neely to put his hands behind his back and grabbed his arm, Neely tried to pull away.

The officer attempted to put Neely on the ground, but Neely rolled away. As the struggle continued, the officer pulled out his Taser and tried to subdue Neely. However, Neely continued to fight and tried to take the Taser from the officer.

During the struggle, the Taser went off. One of the Taser cartridges was deployed, but it didn’t hit anyone.

Neely wrested the Taser away from the officer and pointed it at him. The officer pulled out his firearm and ordered Neely to get on the ground, but Neely refused and began walking away.

As he walked, he hit the Taser against a chainlink fence, and the Taser fired its last cartridge.

The officer continued to follow Neely as another law enforcement officer arrived.

As Neely was distracted by the other officer’s arrival the first officer rushed toward Neely and threw him across the second officer’s patrol car.

As he did this, Neely reached behind him with the Taser and pointed it at the officer’s head. He pulled the trigger, but the Taser was empty.

Bother officers finally subdued Neely, and he was transported to the Bonneville County Jail after being medically cleared at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

The first officer was treated at the scene for minor cuts and scrapes from the fight with Neely.

Neely pleaded guilty to two counts of felony battery on law enforcement. The two misdemeanor charges of malicious injury to property and resisting arrest were dropped as part of a plea agreement.

WEST YELLOWSTONE, Mont. — A Bozeman woman continued on her journey Thursday in a stolen minivan after posting bond in West Yellowstone.

On Thursday West Yellowstone Police stopped Kaylee Graveley, 21, and arrested her on misdemeanor warrants. Little did officers know the minivan she was driving was stolen some 120 miles down the road. Graveley posted bond, was released and officers took her to the van, where she continued toward Bozeman, according to a Teton County (Wyoming) Sheriff’s Office news release.

“WYPD had no idea the van was stolen as it had not been reported yet, and the driver had the keys,” according to the news release.

The Teton County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a minivan stolen in Wilson, Wyoming, around 9:30 a.m. The caller had left the keys in the minivan at a business the night before, and in the morning the vehicle was gone. As deputies entered the information into the National Crime and Information Center database, dispatch discovered police in West Yellowstone recently ran the plate before it was reported stolen.

Law enforcement in Big Sky, Montana, ran the same plate on the van around two hours later. Deputies returned to the area and found the stolen van and Graveley. They arrested her.

Graveley was charged in Montana with possession of a stolen vehicle, and felony auto theft charges are pending in Wyoming.