IDAHO FALLS — Authorities have arrested 84-year-old Charles Cecil Carroll for felony lewd conduct with a child.

The Idaho Falls man was booked into the Bonneville County Jail after a warrant was served at his residence on Friday.

Police reports show officers began investigating Carroll on April 6 after receiving information of inappropriate contact with a 4-year-old Idaho Falls girl, according to a news release. The alleged incident occurred the same day in the 300 block of 14th Street.

Carroll is being arraigned at 1 p.m. Monday. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for May 12.

The post 84-year-old man arrested for lewd conduct with a child appeared first on East Idaho News.

IDAHO FALLS — A cat is lucky to be alive after ingesting a large amount of motor oil that someone had soaked him with before leaving him to die.

“Slick” is a 7-year-old orange tabby that was “horrible mistreated by humans,” according to a post on the Idaho Falls Animal Shelter Facebook page.

“Slick was cruelly doused in motor oil before he ended up in our care. He was taken to the vet and had to be immediately sedated so that he could be shaved and bathed,” the post reads.

Animal control officers were called to pick Slick up from an Idaho Falls neighborhood over the weekend.

“We have a few ideas of who might have done this to the cat,” Idaho Falls Animal Services Manager Irene Brown tells EastIdahoNews.com. “We want to charge whoever was responsible for this cruel act, but need witnesses to come forward.”

Slick was taken to the vet and sedated so he could be shaved and bathed.

Brown says Slick has “desperately” been trying to clean himself but, while licking his body, he has ingested a large amount of oil. He is currently hooked up to IV fluids to flush out the oil, which could cause damage to his kidneys.

“There is no reason anyone should have done this,” Brown says. “I don’t care what the situation is – we are here to help and could have picked up the animal. It’s too bad somebody decided to take their anger out on Slick.”

The animal shelter is asking for donations to cover the cost of Slick’s emergency care. You can donate by calling (208) 612-8671 or by clicking here.

Anyone with information regarding the incident with Slick is asked to call (208) 612-8671.

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IDAHO FALLS — A teenage boy has been arrested, and police are working to find other people who may have been involved in a vandalism and burglary spree over the weekend.

At least five vehicles were broken into on 10th, 11th and 12th streets between Leigh and Higbee Avenues. Cigarettes, CDs, clothing and other items were stolen from cars and trucks.

Melanie Keyes, who lives on 10th Street, tells EastIdahoNews.com the entire back window on her 2016 Honda Accord was broken out and the suspects caused $3,500 of damage to her car.

“They hit Friday night and Saturday night. Friday night they got my car, and painted other cars in the neighborhood, and then on Saturday night they tagged my fence with ‘We came back’ and a bad word,” Keyes says.

Idaho Falls Police arrested a 17-year-old boy on a felony malicious injury charge and resisting and obstructing. Detectives are investigating other people who may have been involved.

Anyone with information on this crime spree is asked to call (208) 529-1200.

The post Teen arrested after burglary, vandalism spree in Idaho Falls neighborhood appeared first on East Idaho News.

POCATELLO — A man convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the death of an Idaho Falls man will stay in prison for at least two and a half more years.

Tanner R. Cox, 24, appeared before a three-person parole commission Monday afternoon at the Pocatello Women’s Correction Center.

The commission gave Cox a parole date of Nov. 14, 2019, nearly doubling the minimum sentence 7th District Judge Bruce Pickett handed down to Cox.

If Cox stays out of trouble while in prison, he will have served four years, five months and 27 days by the time he is released. Bonneville County Prosecutor Danny Clark recommended Cox serve a 10-year prison sentence with four years fixed.

“We are pleased with the parole commission’s decision to deny parole at this time given the gravity of the offense, the loss of life and our stronger recommendations at the time of sentencing,” Clark told EastIdahoNews.com.

A jury found Cox guilty of involuntary manslaughter in Dec. 2015 after a five-day trial. He was originally charged with voluntary manslaughter in death of Josh Olzak.

During Cox’s parole hearing, Cox recounted what happened on the early morning hours of May 9, 2015.

Cox told parole commissioners he nearly T-boned a truck driven by Olzak and that someone in Olzak’s truck flipped him off and kept “blowing smoke,” which irritated Cox.

Cox told parole commissioners he followed the truck through the streets of Idaho Falls, describing it as a chase. Cox said he and Olzak stopped, exited their trucks, and Olzak swung at Cox, so Cox punched Olzak one time – knocking him down and causing his head to hit the pavement.

Cox describe his behavior that night as being “reckless” and told commissioners there was no excuse.

“All of this because someone flipped you off?” Commissioner David Moore asked Cox.

“Yes,” Cox replied.

“And someone is now dead?”

“Yes.”

Moore pressed Cox on his previous behaviors, referring to his multiple drug and alcohol related convictions and his reputation for fighting.

“I do not have a history of beating people up,” Cox told the parole commission. “I have a history of boxing with friends but not beating people up.”

“Did Olzak agree to box with you?” Moore asked.

“No,” Cox said.

Cox’s statement to the parole commission contradicts behaviors brought out at trial, during which prosecutors presented text messages sent by Cox 24 hours before the fight with Olzak in which he refers to another altercation:

“big a** fight, woopped some a**. i knock a dude out it was funny as s***. haha s*** was funny as f***, street was packed with people, guy swung at me, i ducted and knocked him out, 🙂 :)”

While incarcerated, Cox and his then-girlfriend exchanged messages:

“No more trying to fight people, K?” his girlfriend texted.

“After this I’m done. I promise no more fighting, babe,” Cox wrote back.

During his parole hearing, Cox maintained he did not have a reputation for beating people up and when asked if he ever mentioned being able to knock people out with one punch, he told the commissioners he never said that.

“All of this over a flip off and diesel smoke?” Commissioner Mike Matthews asked.

“Yes,” Cox said.

“How ridiculous,” Matthews said, staring at Cox, shaking his head.

Cox then asked the commissioners to judge him based on who he is today, not who he was.

“I have been at a minimum security prison, and I have job that I work at in the Rexburg community,” Cox said. “I have been working in the community for a while with regular people and had no problems.”

Cox also wanted the parole commission to recognize that he hasn’t been in trouble while in prison, other than a minor write-up for being off his bunk at the wrong time. Cox told the commission he was ready to be released.

“Two and a half years is not very long for taking someones life,” Moore told Cox. “I have seen DUIs with longer sentences, and you’ve got two of those on your record.”

During the hearing, Cox’s mother, told the commission, “We stand by him 100 percent.”

Olzak’s wife also spoke.

“There is no amount of time that can make up for our loss,” Gabrielle Kirn-Olzak told commissioners. “All we have wanted from the beginning is for Tanner to take responsibility. Today, it still seems like he is passing the buck.”

Kirn-Olzak told the commission that they know other people were involved that night, and Cox still hasn’t named them. The passenger in Olzak’s truck, Josh Loveless, was attacked by multiple people during the confrontation between Olzak and Cox. Those attackers have not been named.

“We know there were others involved that beat up Mr. Loveless in the victim’s vehicle,” Clark told EastIdahoNews.com on Monday. “Those individuals were not identified. As for Mr. Olzak’s homicide, I do not believe that anyone else was involved. It was one punch and a fall to the pavement that killed Mr. Olzak and that was confirmed by the autopsy, although the concern is that there were multiple cars and multiple people there that did not come forward with information about this crime or the crime against Mr. Loveless.”

After the nearly hour-long hearing, the parole commission chose not to give Cox an immediate parole date. The three-person panel unanimously agreed that Cox should serve two and a half more years.

When Cox is released, the commission has banned him from living in District 7, which includes Bingham, Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Custer, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison and Teton counties, until his sentence satisfaction date of May 13, 2025.

Cox also is banned from being in personal relationships without his parole officer’s consent, cannot have contact with the victims and must stay free from drugs and alcohol, including those who use them.

Cox still owes around $29,000 in fines and restitution. Cox says he has paid $4,000 into fines. He was transported back the St. Anthony Work Camp on Monday afternoon.

CLARIFICATION: Tanner Cox’s mother’s name has been removed from this article at her request. As a former member of a law enforcement enforcement agency, she felt her identity being released might put Tanner Cox at risk in prison.

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The post Tanner Cox faces parole board, asks to be released from prison appeared first on East Idaho News.

(CNN) — Police are searching for a motive in a stabbing attack at the University of Texas at Austin that left one student dead and three others hurt.

Armed with a “bowie-style” hunting knife, witnesses and police say a student “calmly walked around” campus Monday afternoon and randomly stabbed other students.

That student is in custody but hasn’t been charged, authorities said.

Two hours after the attack, classes and events were canceled on campus but are expected to resume Tuesday.

What happened?

The first person attacked was one of several students gathered around a popular Austin food truck around 2 p.m. at the plaza outside Gregory Gym, one of the busiest areas on the 431-acre campus.

Rachel Pritchett, a freshman, was in line at the food truck when she heard someone screaming.

“I didn’t really process what was happening until he grabbed this guy who was standing right next to me by the shoulder and stabbed him on the back,” she told CNN affiliate KEYE.

“While I was running away, I saw this other guy that was kind of bloodied up sitting at a table slumped over. There was someone standing next to him yelling, ‘get away!'” she said.

Students leaving their classes also walked upon a gruesome scene.

“Police were resuscitating a victim. Another student had lacerations to their head and was getting help from police,” said student Ray Arredondo.

As the attack unfolded, three other students were attacked before police arrived.

“I looked over towards the Gregory Gym area and I just see somebody like passed out on the floor covered in blood,” student Bryan Ramirez told CNN affiliate KXAN.

Two students were released from the hospital later Monday.

A chaotic scene

Responding to the 1:49 p.m. call about a stabbing, campus police saw the suspect walking away from a person lying on the ground, campus police chief David Carter said.

When he was confronted by police, the suspect offered no resistance and complied with the officer’s order to get on the ground, Carter said.

Witnesses say he had a “nonchalant” look on his face.

Campus, local and state police swarmed to the plaza. They helped the injured and placed yellow-tape barriers as students called their loved ones.

“There are no words to describe my sense of loss,” UT President Gregory L. Fenves said in a message sent to students, faculty and staff.

‘A great deal of fear on campus’

Authorities do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the campus community but have increased patrols as a precaution.

“Campus safety is our priority and we will investigate this tragic incident to the greatest extent possible,” Fenves said.

In another message, Fenves urged students and staff to support the victims and reassured them that there were no ongoing threats on campus.

“There is a great deal of fear on campus and in our community. That fear is very understandable, especially in light of recent vandalism and threats against students,” he said.

Monday’s attack comes about a year after the slaying of 18-year-old student Haruka Weiser. The theater and dance student was walking home from class when she was strangled and sexually assaulted. Meechaiel Criner is awaiting trial on charges of capital murder in her death.

Weiser’s case was UT’s first on-campus homicide investigation since 1966.

The post Attacker walked ‘calmly’ during stabbing spree at Univ. of Texas that left 1 dead appeared first on East Idaho News.

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (KSTU) — A middle school teacher at American Preparatory Academy in West Valley City was arrested Thursday after school administrators told police he possessed and accessed child pornography in his classroom.

Michael Scott Hatfield faces seven felony counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and three misdemeanor counts of accessing pornographic material on school property.

According to a probable cause statement from West Valley City police, American Preparatory Academy administrators contacted the police department on April 20.

Police said they reviewed surveillance video from Hatfield’s classroom and observed three instances when Hatfield covered up the camera. Although the camera lens was obscured, police said, the surveillance system captured audio suggesting that Hatfield was masturbating during the three instances.

According to the statement, school administrators also provided police with a black bag retrieved from Hatfield’s classroom. The bag, police said, contained a commercial pornography DVD, a bottle of lotion and two photo albums containing pornographic photos of both children and adults.

The photo albums contained collage-style pages with cutouts and photos of nude girls, the probable cause statement said, and “each page was unique depicting a level of meticulous attention in the creation and compilation of the album.”

Police served a warrant at Hatfield’s Midvale home on the afternoon of April 22. Hatfield was read his Miranda rights and invoked his right to an attorney, the statement said. During a search of Hatfield’s home, police said they recovered “evidence pertinent to the manufacture of the scrapbook.”

Hatfield was booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail. In the probable cause statement, the arresting officer requested a bail amount of $100,000 due to Hatfield’s position of trust as a middle school teacher “and the risk to children that is posed.”

American Preparatory Academy released the following statement Monday:

On Thursday, April 20, 2017, American Preparatory Academy discovered that a male faculty member had covered the security camera in his classroom. Since classroom cameras are in place at APA for the protection of our entire school community, covering them is unacceptable and resulted in further investigation. The teacher was immediately interviewed by school administration and placed on administrative leave within a few hours of the incident.

A subsequent search of the classroom revealed what appeared to be inappropriate materials. As a result APA immediately referred the matter to local law enforcement for further action.

Carolyn Sharette, Executive Director at American Prep, states: “American Preparatory Academy is deeply concerned should any employee have inappropriate materials in possession on school grounds. We are grateful we have cameras in classrooms and astute staff members who monitor continually for our students’ safety. We are cooperating fully with the West Valley City Police Department in their investigation.”

As with all faculty and staff, the employee in question underwent and passed a Utah State Board of Education background check, including a Livescan fingerprinting and a Bureau of Criminal Identification report. He was subject of another background check January 24, 2016, which resulted in a satisfactory report on March 22, 2016 and a reissuance of his license by the USBE. There were no prior questionable incidents during his employment at the school.

To date APA has received no information or report of any student involvement in this case.

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IDAHO FALLS — Thieves used bolt cutters to steal a metal box containing a $1,000 worth of children’s baseball equipment.

Babe Ruth Baseball League representatives say sometime over the weekend a metal box at Sugar Mill Park near 95 N. 25th East in Idaho Falls was stolen. It was discovered missing around 5 p.m. Sunday.

Spokesman Buddy Shaw tells EastIdahoNews.com the box was chained to a pole and contained more than $1,000 in umpire gear and bases. He says it appears someone cut the chain and stole the box.

The umpire gear and box were bought with donations that were given to Idaho Falls Babe Ruth this spring. The box was put out just under a week ago.

“This is the first year the league has been able to supply brand new equipment for our kids in a very long time,” Shaw tells EastIdahoNews.com. “And with over 600 kids in the league, losing this box is catastrophic to our season.”

The box is identical to the one in the picture above.

Shaw says the theft has been reported to police. If you have information regarding the theft, contact police at (208) 529-1200.

The post More than $1,000 in children’s baseball gear stolen appeared first on East Idaho News.

EDITOR’S NOTE: EastIdahoNews.com will have a full report on the news conference later this afternoon.

The following is a news release from the Idaho Falls Police Department.

The Idaho Falls Police Department began investigating the horrific murder of 18‐year‐old Angie Dodge on June 13, 1996. After more than 20 years, the IFPD continues to be committed to solving the homicide that victimized the Dodge Family and the citizens of Idaho Falls.

“The Idaho Falls Police Department has spent more time and money investigating this crime than any other crime in the history of this department,” Idaho Falls Police Chief Mark McBride said. “But the resources directed to this case are quintessential to solving it, and we are determined to bring a resolution to this heinous crime. We owe it to the Dodge family and our citizens and therefore, this case will remain as high of a priority as it has been since 1996.”

These sketches show the suspect in the Angie Dodge murder case based on DNA findings. On top is the killer as he may have appeared in 1996, and the bottom photo shows what he could look like today. | Courtesy Parabon NanoLabs

The crime scene and evidence collected at the scene, including the collection and extraction of one major and two minor DNA profiles, indicates that there was more than one individual involved in the death of Angie Dodge. With current technologies, the major profile collected is the only viable DNA sample that can be used to make an identification.

Unfortunately, the major DNA profile from whom we believe to be the primary offender has remained unknown. This is despite efforts by investigators and utilization of technologies and databases, such as the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and the FBI’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (ViCAP), designed to make an identification.

The IFPD has spent thousands of hours and resources each year since 1996 tracking down tips and leads; collecting and analyzing evidence; conducting research; and collaborating with multiple agencies, consultants, and companies in an effort to identify the primary offender.

In the last four years alone, the IFPD has invested more than $43,000 in evidence extraction and analysis, DNA profiling, and travel to follow up on leads. This does not include the staff time and wages. Investigators assigned to this case have also worked weekends, holidays, and vacation time to follow‐up on leads, make contacts and research into new investigative tools, techniques and technology.

Throughout this investigation, the IFPD has received assistance from the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho State Police, West Jordan Police Department, the Idaho State Crime Lab, Bode and Sorensen crime labs; forensic genealogists, the Innocence Project, Ancestry Public Database, Idaho Attorney General Office, FBI, Bonneville County Prosecutor’s Office, East Idaho Cold Cases, the Dodge family and the Usry Family.

We are grateful for this assistance, particularly from Carol Dodge and her family. We have great empathy for the Dodge family and truly want to find justice for Angie Dodge.

Today, we are pleased to announce our recent collaboration with Parabon Nanolabs and Channel Blend as we reveal and begin dissemination of a DNA Phenotype Snapshot.

Parabon Nanolabs, a Virginia‐based DNA Technology company introduced to the IFPD at a Chiefs of Police Conference, has created a sketch of our unknown killer from the DNA’s genetic instruction and make‐up to predict physical appearance, including eye color, hair color, skin color and face shape.

The IFPD is also collaborating with Channel Blend of Idaho Falls to create a 24‐hour tipline to receive information and tips from the public. The number is 1‐800‐927‐1239. Callers may leave a name and a number for a callback from detectives, or they can leave an anonymous tip that will be recorded. All tips and information provided will be reviewed and followed‐up by detectives.

“This is a testament of our commitment and desire to utilize available and cutting‐edge technologies to finding our killer,” McBride said. “We are hopeful and excited this new phenotype sketch will help us garner new leads into the Dodge homicide.”

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The post Idaho Falls Police reveal DNA Phenotype snapshot of Angie Dodges killer appeared first on East Idaho News.

OGDEN, Utah — Terrance Jones and Lynnsie Reddish are accused of running a prostitution ring together out of an Ogden home.

Both are now booked into the Weber County Jail, and charging documents give us a glimpse into the horrific things their victims say happened to them.

“In these cases force, fraud and coercion are the elements of controlling an individual, in manipulating an individual to engage in this activity,” said Gregory Ferbrasche, Director for the Justice Division of the Attorney General’s Office.

That’s how special agents with the Attorney General’s Office believe 21-year-old Lynnsie Reddish and 31-year-old Terrance Jones conducted a commercial sex ring out of their home.

Charging documents paint a picture of what victims endured while in the Ogden home, with accounts from four women and several witnesses.

“It is tragic and it is terrible,” Ferbrasche said.

One victim was at the home for nearly two years. She told investigators “Reddish and Jones assaulted her and held her against her will.”

In January she tried to escape but, “the defendants began hitting the victim with their fists. Jones poked the victim in the eye and would then punch her face every few minutes.”

Then, “Reddish got scissors and cut off her hair.”

One victim said she witnessed that beating. The Attorney General’s Office says that’s common behavior they see in prostitution rings, and this isn’t a unique case.

“The more we investigate, the more reports we receive, the more we find it’s happening in our community,” Ferbrasche said.

Witnesses also reported the defendants would beat up some of the girls to keep others in line.

One victim said she felt she had to have sexual intercourse with the clients or “something bad would happen” to her

Court documents say Jones also had firearms in the house and would talk about how he is, “not afraid to use them.”

“A lot of time that force, fraud, and coercion are why the victim may not come forward and alert the authorities, because they don’t believe they can,” Ferbrasche said.

Jones and Reddish are each charged with four counts of human trafficking for forced sexual exploitation, four counts of aggravated exploitation of prostitution, aggravated kidnapping, and several other charges.

The Attorney General’s Office says it’s important for Utahns to realize prostitution and sex trafficking are problems we face at home.

“We are conducting more investigations, and, as this case demonstrates, we are conducting more prosecutions,” Ferbrasche said.

This is an ongoing investigation and there may be more victims.

Jones’ initial appearance is set for Monday. As for Reddish, she is due in court for a preliminary hearing May 23.

This article was originally published by fellow CNN affiliate KSTU. It is used here with permission.

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IDAHO FALLS — The Angie Dodge murder case has been open for more than 20 years, but now the Idaho Falls Police Department is hoping to make new headway, thanks to DNA-generated sketches of the man they believed killed her.

On Wednesday, Idaho Falls Police Chief Mark McBride said in a news conference that his department is more committed than ever to solving this murder. Idaho Falls police began investigating the case of 18‐year‐old Angie Dodge on June 13, 1996.

“The Idaho Falls Police Department has spent more time and money investigating this case then it has in any other case in the history of the department,” McBride said during the conference. “This case has gone through three administrations and continues to receive the same level of importance as the initial investigation.”

Christopher Tapp was originally arrested and imprisoned for the rape and murder of Angie Dodge. He was released last month as part of a resentencing agreement, and the rape charged was dropped. However, his murder conviction still stands.

Although Tapp is the only person to have been convicted in the murder, police say evidence indicates multiple people were involved.

“The collection and extraction of one major and two minor DNA profiles, indicates there is more then one individual involved in the death of Angie Dodge,” McBride said. “With current technologies, the major profile is the only profile that can be used to make an identification.”

McBride said the major DNA profile from whom they believe to be the primary offender has remained unknown, even after searching databases such as the Combined DNA Index System and the FBI’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Program.

TIP LINE (800)-927-1239

But now the department is making use of a DNA technology through Parabon NanoLabs in Virginia. The lab generates sketches of people showing their phenotypes, or observable characteristics, using their DNA.

During the news conference, Dr. Ellen McRae Greytak, director of bioinformatics at Parabon NanoLabs, said her company creates the phenotype image using the a DNA sample and comparing distinguishing DNA traits with a database. The database is built from thousands of volunteer’s DNA and help researchers determine the probably of eye color, hair color, skin tone and ethnicity.

These sketches show the suspect in the Angie Dodge murder case based on DNA findings. On top is the killer as he may have appeared in 1996, and the bottom photo shows what he could look like today. | Courtesy Parabon NanoLabs

“The goal is not identification,” Greytak said during the conference. “There is not going to be only one person in the world that matches those phenotype predictions. The goal is really exclusion, to exclude people in a suspect list that do not match.”

But not everyone believes that’s helpful. Tapp said the image is so generic, it just muddies the case.

“I get what they are doing, but its kind of gives Carol (Dodge, Angie’s mother) and the rest of the community false hope,” Tapp told EastIdahoNews.com after the conference.

The next step for IFPD is to absorb the tips they anticipate to come in as a result of these new images.

“We know from experience from other agencies, when they put these out they get a lot of phone tips to follow up on.” McBride said.

Anyone with tips about the case can call the Idaho Falls Police Department Tip Line at (800) 927-1239.

The post Police lay out what’s next in the search for Angie Dodge’s suspected killer appeared first on East Idaho News.

GILLETTE, Wyoming — A 58-year-old school bus driver was arrested at a bus stop Monday after reports of reckless driving, reports the Casper Star Tribune.

Barbera J. Sleeth was running stop signs, speeding and leaving the road in her 30-passenger bus. Five children and an adult aide were aboard says Gillette Police Lt. Chuck Deaton.

Deaton says Sleeth performed poorly on field sobriety tests and was found with prescription medications.

Sleeth pleaded not guilty to the six misdemeanor charges, one count of driving under the influence and five counts of reckless endangerment. Sleeth indicated that she would like an attorney appointed to represent her, according to the Casper Star Tribune.

Judge Paul Phillips set her bail at $20,000 cash or surety.

This article was originally published in the Star Valley Tribune. It is used here with permission.

The post Wyoming bus driver arrested on DUI charges appeared first on East Idaho News.

Editor’s note: Many graphic details and language have been left out of this report, however, events described in this article may be disturbing to some readers. Discretion is advised.

IDAHO FALLS — An 84-year-old man accused of lewd conduct with a 4-year-old was released from jail Monday.

Police arrested Charles Cecil Carroll on a felony lewd conduct with a child warrant last week.

The Idaho Falls man was booked into the Bonneville County Jail on Friday and held on a $50,000 bond.

During an arraignment hearing, Judge Keith Walker ordered the release of Carroll with zero bond, according to Bonneville County court clerks. Carroll was release to pretrial services, who had recommended the release.

Carroll has no criminal history in Idaho and will have to meet the stipulations placed on his conditional release.

Police reports show officers began investigating Carroll on April 6 after receiving information from the child’s mother that she had witnessed her 4-year-old daughter touching Carroll, who was unclothed.

The incident occurred the same day in the 300 block of 14th Street.

The victim told her mother there was further abuse. Following the advice of detectives, the victim’s mother took her to the hospital to be evaluated.

Detectives conducted a forensic interview with the child, who described in her words various different sexual abuse acts that she experienced while with Carroll, according to court records.

The child was able to remember times, places, actions, emotions and physical pain, according to a police report.

Detectives later contacted Carroll, who admitted to some of the allegations of sexual behaviors between him and the victim. Carroll denied other sexual acts, saying he was unable to recall all the events, but told detectives he didn’t think the child was lying, according to police reports.

Carroll told detectives he didn’t think it was a big deal, Carroll said the child was “investigating and learning,” according to court records.

Detectives asked Carroll if this was first time he had sexual contact the child.

“I doubt it,” Carroll replied.

“How else is she going to learn?” Carroll asked detectives, who told him that she was a child and it wasn’t his place. “I disagree with you, but then that’s your idea and mine.”

Carroll went on the describe the events as a natural thing, “if she touches my feet I don’t consider that sexual, if she touches my penis it is not considered by me any way to be sexual,” according to police reports.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for May 12.

The post Man accused of lewd conduct with a 4-year-old released without bond appeared first on East Idaho News.

IDAHO FALLS — An Idaho Falls mother who was paying her cell phone bill while her child drowned in a bathtub has pleaded guilty to a felony charge.

Kelsee Flatland appeared in district court earlier this week and pleaded guilty to the felony injury to child charge, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

The plea agreement recommends probation and allows prosecutors to ask for jail time.

Flatland was originally charged with a felony involuntary manslaughter, also carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years. The charge came after she allegedly left a 13-month-old child in a bathtub alone for between 35 and 50 minutes before discovering the child had drowned.

As part of of the plea agreement, prosecutors will recommending probation and won’t oppose a withheld judgment, meaning the charge could be dismissed if Flatland successfully completes probation.

EastIdahoNews.com reached out to the Bonneville County Prosecutor’s Office regarding the plea agreement and received this response form Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney John Dewey:

“These are very difficult cases. We made this plea agreement after looking at a number of factors. First, this was not a crime that involved intent to cause any harm to the child. The defendant allowed herself to be distracted from supervising her child for too great a period of time while the child was left in a hazardous situation (in the bathtub). She was cooperative with the investigation, showed remorse and has no prior criminal history. The child’s father and grandfather were consulted with regard to resolution of the case. They both expressed that they believed that the criminal justice system couldn’t punish the defendant more than the loss of her child has already punished her. They also expressed a desire to put this incident behind them. The agreement allows us to ask for jail as a sanction at sentencing, which we believe is appropriate. As such, the agreement allows us to hold the defendant accountable, while taking into account some of the mitigating factors I’ve described above, with the goal of deterring this type of conduct and keeping our community safe.”

According to court records, officers and paramedics responded to Kelsee and Paul Flatland’s Idaho Falls home the morning of Sept. 5 for the reported drowning.

Those records detail a timeline of events starting with Flatland putting her 13-month-old child and 2-year-old child in an upstairs bathtub. Afterwards, Flatland went downstairs to speak to her husband and use a downstairs bathroom, leaving the children in the tub.

Sometime later, the 2-year-old left the bathtub on his own and went downstairs and started to play with Flatland.

Paul Flatland, who was distracted by video games at the time, said she had better go check on the baby, as the child had been alone for a long time. He later told police he thought the child had been alone for about 10 minutes.

Flatland told police she figured she was downstairs for five minutes at most, but police were later able to determine through activity on her cell phone that Flatland “had been using her phone for a period of at least 35 minutes and possibly more than 50 minutes from the time she left the bathroom and the time she returned.”

When Flatland went upstairs she discovered their child submerged in the tub. Both parents attempted to clear water from the child’s lungs and attempted CPR. They immediately called 911.

Flatland is due back in court in July for sentencing.

Paul Flatland has not been charged in the drowning. He told police he was unaware his children were being bathed, maintaining he was playing video games at the time.

The post Mother of drowned baby enters plea agreement appeared first on East Idaho News.

BOISE — Three Idaho prison guards were hurt in an inmate-on-inmate attack in a maximum security prison.

According to a news release from the Idaho Department of Correction, an inmate armed with a padlock wrapped in a T-shirt hurt three correctional officers and another inmate at Idaho Maximum Security Institution.

The incident happened around 9:30 a.m. Thursday in a recreational area at the prison. The officers were hurt when they tried to stop the inmate-on-inmate attack.

Two of the officers and the inmate who was assaulted suffered serious injuries and were taken to a local hospital via ambulance.

The third officer suffered less serious injuries and was taken to the hospital in a state vehicle.

None of the injuries are life-threatening.

The inmate responsible for the assault is Clark Jackson Cleveland, according to the news release. Cleveland, 32, is serving a life sentence with no chance for parole.

Cleveland’s criminal record includes convictions in Twin Falls County for aggravated assault, second-degree kidnapping and first-degree murder.

He wounded an Idaho State Police trooper during a chase in 2011, which resulted in a standoff at a Twin Falls hotel, according to Elko Daily Free Press. Cleveland shot and killed bystander Tracy Ivie of Utah in the ensuing hostage crisis.

More recently, he was convicted of aggravated battery in Ada County for assaulting another inmate at Idaho State Correctional Institution on Aug. 1, 2016.

The Ada County Sheriff’s Office is investigating Thursday’s assault. Idaho Maximum Security Institution has canceled all inmate visiting sessions through Sunday.

The post Three Idaho prison guards hurt in inmate attack appeared first on East Idaho News.

BOISE – Inside the Old Idaho State Penitentiary, you can tour the state’s former death row.

“The Old Pen executed a total of 10 inmates, one was a federal execution and none of them were state executions,” Meghan Anderson, interpretive specialist for the Old Idaho State Penitentiary, said.

Idaho only hanged one man in their gallows before a Supreme Court decision banned executions in the country.

Raymond Allen Snowden was convicted and sentenced to death for murdering a woman in Garden City in 1956.

“His body didn’t drop with the proper weight, so he ended up having to strangle, and it took him about 15 minutes to die,” Anderson said.

Snowden only sat in his cell for about a year before his execution in 1957, a stark contrast to the amount of time Idaho’s eight remaining death row inmates have been awaiting their executions.

“The average length of time between a sentence and an execution is about 16 years,” College of Western Idaho criminal justice professor Stephanie Breach said. “However, there are some states that execute a lot more quickly, so they throw the numbers off.”

In Idaho, the last two executed inmates waited on death row for about 30 years each.

Richard Albert Leavitt was executed in 2012.

Leavitt is one of only three to be executed in the state since the death penalty was officially reinstated in 1976. In comparison, in the time Idaho has put three people to death, Texas has executed more than 500.

“Since they are doing executions a lot, some of the research shows that they are equipped to continually be doing executions,” Breach said.

Keeping inmates on death row is more expensive than letting them serve out a life sentence.

“It’s 44 times more for the appeals on a death penalty case versus a life in prison case,” Breach said.

Taxpayers are footing the bill.

“Some studies show that, on average, it costs $3 million for a death penalty case from the time that the case starts until the time of execution,” Breach said.

Nationwide, that adds up to $25 billion in taxpayer money spent on death row cases since 1976.

Breach said that number does not include the court costs of those who die in prison before their execution.

“We’re paying those costs,” Breach said. “Our taxes are paying the appeals. We’re paying the corrections budget. … It’s very expensive.”

See the slideshow of Idaho’s eight remaining death row inmates and their crimes here.

This story first appeared on KIVI, a fellow CNN affiliate. It is used here with permission.

The post Eight Idaho death row inmates costing taxpayers millions appeared first on East Idaho News.

UPDATE:

Owner of Outlaw Vapor in Preston, JG Travis, says the thieves have been caught “The 3 was caught in Logan Utah this morning early. Two was 18 and a juvenile was 15. They are being held in Logan for the moment. I would like to give a huge thank you to Officer Dunn with the Preston City police department. In less than 24 hours he had our men. Thanks again for all the help from everyone our Facebook posts went viral and so many tips from everyone. Thank you again.”

Original story:

PRESTON — A local vapor shop has once again been burglarized, and the owner is offering an award for information that would bring the thieves to justice.

Outlaw Vapor in Preston was burglarized early Friday morning — the second time in the last few months.

The owner and manager of the business received a text message through their alarm system notifying them there had been movement within the building.

Both went to store and discovered it had been burglarized.

“They used a rock to break a window and to shatter a case,” Regional Manager Lane King tells EastIdahoNews.com. “They also broke down a door and damaged the frame, so we we’ll have to replace that too.”

King says $5,000 to $6,000 worth of products was stolen.

The company is asking the public’s help to identify the more recent thieves. (Those who burglarized the store last time were caught, King said.)

The business describes itself as small, and recovering from these incidents is a tough thing.

“We are offering a $500 cash reward that leads to an arrest,” King said. “Please contact us or the City of Preston Police Department with any information.”

EastIdahoNews.com tried to reach the police department for comment but was unsuccessful.

• Preston Police Department: (208) 852-2433
• Outlaw Vapor Preston: (208) 254-4062

The post WATCH: Vape shop in Preston burglarized for the second time appeared first on East Idaho News.

OREM, Utah — Two parents who were filmed while locked in a brawl with their baby caught in the middle Sunday morning have been arrested.

Friday, police stated that Britnie Hass and Elias Holt were arrested in connection with the incident.

The footage, shot in the parking lot of a La Quinta in Orem early Sunday morning, shows a violent encounter unfolding with the couple’s 11-month-old son in their midst.

“When I was saying to him, ‘Let me take the baby inside’, that’s when she grabs the baby out of his arms so violently,” said Melina Ylinen, the family member in the video. “The baby was really low on her hip, and he was bowing backwards, and I was afraid his back was going to snap.”

Hass is facing charges of domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse, and assault. Holt was arrested for a previous warrant.

After police responded to the incident, they took both parents and the child to a relative’s house. Friday, Orem Police said they did not make an arrest initially because they wanted to consult with the city attorney and the Division of Child and Family Services before proceeding.

“It’s not uncommon for us to be at an incident where a crime has been committed that we don’t make an arrest at that time,” said Lt. Craig Martinez of the Orem Police Department. “We felt at that time we first needed to go over the case with the City Attorney and DCFS to see if we had enough to file charges.”

Ylinen said Friday she is glad the baby is safe.

“I want Elias and Britnie to get help,” she said. “I want the baby to be safe in the meanwhile, and I think that’s the direction that we’re going in finally.”

The infant was not harmed in the incident and is now staying with a family member. Police and DCFS personnel are still investigating the case.

Support is available 24/7 in Utah for those dealing with domestic violence. Visit the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence online or call (208) 384.0419 for resources and assistance. In an emergency, dial 911.

This article was originally published by fellow CNN affiliate KSTU. It is used here with permission.

The post Utah parents arrested after video shows brawl with baby caught in the middle appeared first on East Idaho News.

DRIGGS — The trial of Jackson man Erik Ohlson, 40, charged with murdering a Driggs resident and her unborn child will not begin this summer as scheduled.

Idaho District Judge Bruce Pickett heard arguments from Ohlson’s attorney Jim Archibald as well as Teton County Prosecutor Billie Siddoway on whether to push the trial, which is scheduled to begin July 31, back and for how long.

“It would be unusual to have death penalty cases tried in a year,” Archibald explained. “These cases can languish in appeal courts for 20 years. Let’s do it right the first time.”

Archibald argued that his team would not be ready, since they had not yet completed gathering evidence, let alone begun preparing arguments based on that evidence.

“Detectives have interviewed witnesses I have not interviewed yet,” he said, adding that his team was still interviewing family and friends of Ohlson and Jennifer Nalley, the victim. “There are people all over who have potential mitigation evidence.”

Archibald also lifted a computer hard drive in the court room, struggling with what to call it, but claiming it held evidence that his team had not been able to get through—including records from Ohlson and Nalley’s computers.

“I have been unable to access it,” Archibald said. “I am not much of a computer guy.”

Siddoway admitted that August was a difficult and busy time in the county for a trial, but that there was no need for it to be delayed too long.

“If we have to move the date to September or October, I understand that,” she said. “The challenge here is what really needs to be done. Let’s get some deadlines.”

Siddoway disputed whether Archibald’s difficulties with accessing the hard drive were entirely legitimate.

“A hard drive [was] provided five months ago,” she said. “There’s nothing being hidden, there is just a learning curve… they just haven’t opened the right folder to see where it is.”

Siddoway also said that the victim’s families deserved to get closure, adding that Nalley’s grandfather, who may be a witness in the trial, is 93 years old.

“A year doesn’t make any sense to me,” Siddoway said.

Judge Pickett agreed to delay the trial but did not specify a new date, which depends on whether the trial would be moved out of the county.

Archibald has argued that it should, explaining that media reports from the area, including reporting by the Teton Valley News, made it impossible to find an impartial jury in the county.

“Even since I filed, there’s been ever more pre-trial publicity that’s been more aggravating to find a fair trial,” he said, pointing out in particular the media coverage of Ohlson’s confession to police being suppressed from evidence.

Judge Pickett ordered evidence to be presented on whether to move the trial. The next hearing is set for May 26 at 11:00 am.

So far Teton County has paid almost $112,500 on Ohlson’s defense. Of that, approximately $48,500 has been reimbursed by the Capital Crimes Defense Fund, a kind of insurance counties pay in the event of death penalty court cases.

This article was originally published in the Teton Valley News. It is used here with permission.

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The post Ohlson murder trial date pushed back, may move out of county appeared first on East Idaho News.

The following is a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho.

BOISE – Nichlas Simpson, 28, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to 10 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for committing bank fraud, Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael Gonzalez announced. Senior U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge also ordered Simpson to pay back $21,249.17 in restitution to victims of his scheme. Simpson pleaded guilty on February 21, 2017.

Pursuant to his plea agreement, Simpson came to Idaho and perpetrated a fraud scheme known throughout the country as “Operation Homeless.” Simpson and his co-conspirators started by stealing local businesses’ checks from postal boxes.

Simpson then traveled to Boise-area homeless shelters and recruited homeless youth for the scheme, telling them that they would be performing day labor for a construction business. Instead, the co-conspirators created forged checks that were made payable to the homeless individuals and were drawn on the accounts of the businesses whose checks had been stolen from the mail. Simpson then directed the homeless individuals to cash the checks at local banks. Simpson and his co-conspirators kept the vast majority of the proceeds.

“This sentence is a just punishment for Simpson’s fraud and for the financial harm he caused his victims,” said Gonzalez. “The Court’s restitution order is an important step in achieving justice for the financial damage Simpson caused his victims.”

“The Postal Inspection Service is dedicated to protecting the security of the U.S. Mail system and holding those accountable who would victimize the Postal Service and its customers,” said Anthony Galetti, Inspector in Charge of the Seattle Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Boise Police Department.

The post Atlanta Man Sentenced for operating “Operation Homeless” Scheme in Idaho appeared first on East Idaho News.

The following is a news release from the Rigby Police Department.

RIGBY — On May 3, Rigby Police received a report from Kirk Scott of an individual selling a stolen chainsaw online.

During the investigation, a meeting between the seller and a police informant was scheduled. During the meeting, the informant verified that the serial number on the chainsaw as one that had been reported as stolen. Officers in the area were notified and the individual was arrested for possession of stolen property.

During an interview with police, the suspect admitted to knowing that the chainsaw was stolen. He also told police that an individual living in the county had possession of more stolen property. A search warrant was obtained for the property in question.

On May 4, Rigby Police, with the assistance of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, served a search warrant on the property located at 211 N. 4200 E. in Rigby. Once the area was secured, Kirk Scott was brought on scene where he assisted in identifying equipment that had been taken from his business Scotty’s Two.

Approximately $5,000.00 in stolen equipment was recovered and returned to the owner.

Jeffrey Curry, a former employee of Scotty’s Two, was arrested at the scene and charged with grand theft.

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