POCATELLO — Kaybree Ozburn is a senior at Century High School in Pocatello. She is a member of her school government and dreams of one day being a member of the U.S. Government.

Ozburn told EastIdahoNews.com that she is “leaning toward” an education in criminology — and a, perhaps short, career as a criminal attorney.

“I’ve been interested in learning about crime my whole entire life,” she said.

During a college sociology class, Ozburn enjoyed learning about “deviance theories” — what causes people to commit crimes. Add that to the fact that she enjoys taking on leadership roles — including positions in student government since she was eligible as a sixth grader — and a run at the United States Senate is something of a calling for Ozburn.

The sociology class she took at Century was just one of many college courses she has taken in high school. In fact, when she graduates this spring she will do so having already earned an Associates Degree.

As a junior, Ozburn took just one non-dual-credit class the entire year — a ceramics class, because she is also a bit of an artists.

She draws, writes (she’s currently working on a novel), acts in the theater and drama club and plays two instruments — piano and guitar.

“I try to be very well-rounded, which gets you a lot of points with scholarships and stuff like that,” Ozburn said.

Asked where the wide range of passions comes from, Ozburn credited the love for reading she developed as a small child.

After graduation, Ozburn plans to attend the University of Utah, both for her undergrad studies and her law degree. It will be the first time she has lived outside of southeastern Idaho — something that excites her in and of itself.

Asked how far she would like to take her political endeavors, Ozburn said the dream ends at the top.

Like many other children, Ozburn had dreams of being U.S. President while on the playground. She would tell her friends, “Guys, I’m going to be the first female President.”

But the White House would be the dream either way, she said.

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POCATELLO — For nearly three hours on Saturday afternoon, Jayden “JayJay” Jensen’s friends and family members took turns speaking about a boy who, at just 16 years old, impacted so many lives.

Jayden was reported missing on Dec. 6. He slipped through the ice while duck hunting with friends when he went to retrieve a duck. His friends went into the water after him, but they weren’t able to find him.

The search for his body went on for about two weeks, with local and state agencies and volunteers from eastern Idaho — and beyond — tirelessly searching the Snake River and American Falls Reservoir.

The search was officially called off on Dec. 18. However, his family was determined to search until weather made it physically impossible to do so.

On Jan. 1, a group of volunteers using an underwater drone recovered Jayden’s body, not far from where he disappeared.

RELATED | Body of missing 16-year-old recovered from the Snake River

During a celebration of life held inside the ballroom at Idaho State University’s Student Union Building, the Jensens’ family friend and selected emcee, Mike Fuller, described the teen as gentle, kind and loving.

“He was always there for you, whether you needed him or not,” Fuller said.

Person after person — friends and family — stood at a podium, on a stage in front of some 300 people, and told their stories about Jayden. They told stories about his Ford Bronco, which he loved so much, and his naturally goofy nature. They shared stories of his caring and nurturing demeanor, random acts of kindness and willingness to do anything for anyone.

Jayden’s father, Shawn Jensen, was the last to speak, asking everyone in the massive ballroom to look around.

“Look at all these people. Jayden did this. He brought all these people together — with his heart and his love for everybody,” Shawn said.

Jayden’s mother, Erin Calderon, had a similar sentiment, thanking the many “mothers” her son had “collected” and the rest of the village that helped raise him.

“This is his village. These are the people who raised him, the people who had his back and loved him very much,” Erin said.

Perhaps the most tearful tribute came from Jayden’s aunt, Tara Elvira.

Elvira spoke about Jayden’s many passions and the passion he inspired in others. She thanked her late nephew, saying that being an aunt to such a great person helped shape the mother she has become.

She thanked everyone in attendance, saying anyone who knew Jayden needed somewhere to talk about him together.

She directed her closing thoughts to “her JayJay.”

“You were the most exuberant little human I’ve ever known,” Elvira said. “Trying to conceptualize the vastness of your leaving is heavier than words are capable of describing. I would have loved to tell you how much you meant to me, but because you were taken so young, the impact wasn’t fully recognized until your absence screamed into the abyss of heartache.”

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AMERICAN FALLS — A woman police say had 28.87 grams of methamphetamine when she fled from police and caused a crash, injuring two officers, faces multiple felony charges.

Constance Elaine Vega, 35, has been charged with trafficking in methamphetamine and eluding an officer, court records show.

RELATED | 2 ISP troopers injured after crash involving wrong-way driver near American Falls

While on patrol just after 6:15 p.m. Jan. 4, a Power County Sheriff’s deputy saw a 2002 Dodge Caravan run a stop sign at the intersection of East County Road and Arbon Valley Highway, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

The deputy initiated a traffic stop, but the Dodge continued “at a high rate of speed” onto eastbound Interstate 86.

The deputy followed the Dodge and requested assistance from Idaho State Police troopers.

At one point during the chase, the driver of the Dodge, later identified as Vega, lost control of the van. When she regained control, she began driving westbound on the eastbound lane, back toward pursuing officers, going approximately 80 mph.

Officers attempted a PIT maneuver. Rather than immobilizing the Dodge, the collision sent it through the median into the westbound lanes. Vega continued to drive eastbound — into oncoming traffic.

Eventually, an Idaho State Police trooper rammed the Dodge head-on, disabling the vehicle and ending the pursuit.

Law enforcement searched the Dodge before impounding it. During the search, police found a fast food bag containing what they believed to be methamphetamine.

Vega was taken to Portneuf Medical Center by ground ambulance. There, she agreed to speak with officers.

She said she could not recall what transpired after an officer attempted to stop her while driving on West County Road. Vega also said she did not know about there being any drugs in her car.

The suspected meth was taken to Pocatello Police Department, where it was weighed and tested. Tests returned a presumptive positive for meth.

After she was cleared by medical staff, Vega was taken to Power County Jail, where she was booked and is being held on a $25,000 bond.

The Pocatello Police Department is investigating the crash.

Though Vega has been charged with these crimes, it does not necessarily mean she committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.

If she is found guilty, Vega would face up to life in prison.

She is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing before Magistrate Judge Paul Laggis on Jan. 16.

The post Pocatello woman involved in Friday’s I-86 crash that injured 2 ISP troopers charged appeared first on East Idaho News.

POCATELLO — The former owner of a now-closed preschool and daycare center has been ordered to serve probation.

Melanie Lynn Anderson, 44, pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of battery at a hearing Tuesday. After accepting the guilty plea, Magistrate Judge David Penrod granted Anderson withheld judgment and suspended a 10-day jail sentence.

Penrod instead ordered Anderson to serve two months of unsupervised probation.

While ordering the sentence, Penrod noted Anderson, as a result of the charges, has lost her business and is no longer licensed to work in child care, saying she has paid a “pretty severe price already.”

RELATED | Police shut down Pocatello daycare following abuse allegations

Defense attorney Richard Blok said during the hearing he wished the judge had not read the police report. Blok said the police reports were largely “unsubstantiated claims by disgruntled former employees.”

Blok said the lone action Anderson was guilty of — and which she regrets — was grabbing a “young man’s wrist” firmly and leading the child to timeout.

The defense then laid out Anderson’s background, saying she had worked in several different professions — retail, food service, a call center and other similar jobs. Blok said working in child care was the first job Anderson viewed as a career.

Blok said that, because she was happy with her profession, she purchased the day care from her former boss. She knows now she was not prepared to run the business.

Anderson, speaking on her own behalf, said she “truly loves” working in child care, which she has been doing for nine years.

“This has been a very humbling and difficult time for me and my family,” she said.

An emotional Anderson apologized for what happened due to her errors in judgement, for the court costs that have been incurred because of the charges and to her former clients — especially the victim.

Penrod thanked Anderson for her comments and acknowledged the job is a very difficult one.

In addition to the probation, Penrod ordered Anderson to pay $387.50 in fees and fines.

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POCATELLO — Pocatello city staff take up collections every year to make a combined donation to the United Way of Southeastern Idaho. On Tuesday morning, a delegation of those employees presented this year’s check — totaling $23,054.

Wendi Ames, director of Donor and Community Engagement for the recipient organization, told EastIdahoNews.com that this donation could fund as many as three of the organization’s programs.

“Every year, organizations apply for grants through the United Way — smaller organizations within our seven counties. … These community fund dollars are given to small nonprofits in our region,” Ames said.

The United Way helps those in need across southeastern Idaho in many ways — everything up to giving a person or family $40 for a tank of gas, which will then help a family member get to a job interview, which could lead that family to financial independence.

Last year, city staff donated $20,122. It was their goal to best that total — as it will be a goal to best the 2024 total next year.

Of the 2024 donation, $15,700 came from the Pocatello Firefighters Union.

Kim Stouse, Pocatello Fire Department spokeswoman, said it is important for the city’s firefighters and first responders to donate to these types of causes, adding that she is grateful for the partnership the city has created with the nonprofit organization.

“It’s vital — we see the need in the community every day,” Stouse said. “… We are always trying to give back, and this is one way we can do that.”

Part of the reason for the high total from the firefighters, Stouse continued, is the in-house competition.

Stouse hosts meetings with the different platoons every year to explain where their money will go and how it will help the community. Then she hands out donor forms and tracks platoon donations.

She said it became “pretty close at the end” this year, but C Platoon claimed the crown.

While the more-than-$23,000 city employees donated will help exponentially, Ames said that every donation — even donations of $5 — go a long way.

Making a donation, she said, is as simple as visiting the office — 101 North Main Street — or the website, here.

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POCATELLO — A woman who pleaded guilty to one count of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor has been ordered to spend a minimum of 10 years in prison. A man with whom she performed the acts against multiple children did not appear in court for sentencing Monday.

Annette Dee Reed, 41, entered her guilty plea in September after reaching a plea agreement with the Bannock County Prosecutor’s Office. As part of the agreement, felonies for child sexual abuse and soliciting a minor for child sexual abuse were dismissed.

RELATED | Pair allegedly forced multiple children to engage in sexual activity

At Monday’s hearing, District Judge Javier Gabiola went above the agreed-upon recommendation of five to 10 years in prison, choosing instead to order a prison sentence of 10 to 20 years.

Prior to issuing his sentence, Gabiola addressed Reed, explaining that of his duties when deciding on a punishment, the one he had to address with the greatest weight was her risk to the community.

“Are you a risk to society based on what you’ve done, what you’ve admitted to? The answer is, ‘yes, you are,'” Gabiola said.

Reed and 41-year-old Skyler David Norton were arrested in July 2022 after a 17-year-old boy came forward with allegations the couple had been physically and sexually abusing him. After the initial complaint was filed, three additional victims came forward with similar allegations.

Two of those victims prepared written statements, read by prosecuting attorney Erin Tognetti in court Monday.

Both girls addressed the recommended prison sentences of five years for Reed and 10 years for Norton. Both believed Reed deserved the same penalty as Norton, as she, they said, was the instigator in the attacks.

“No child should ever have to write a letter like this,” one of the girls said to open her written statement, finishing with the recommendation of 10 years in prison for both defendants.

Speaking on behalf of Reed, public defender Rilie Fry questioned the validity of a pre-sentence investigation which found his client to be a “moderate risk” to re-offend. The investigation, he contended, did not take into account the fact that Reed was a victim of Norton’s herself.

He also said claims in the investigation that Reed was not a good candidate for rehabilitation in the community were false. As evidence, he provided three certificates of completion from drug and alcohol treatment programs.

Fry claimed that alcohol played a role in Reed’s actions and that she has taken steps to combat her alcoholism — having attended every scheduled treatment class and submitted and passed every urinalysis test.

Fry recommended a rider, with an underlying sentence of five to 10 years.

Tognetti said treatment for alcoholism and treatment for sexual offenses were different.

She called Reed’s actions “depraved” and “deviant,” saying that she preyed on children and encouraged her common-law husband, Norton, to do the same.

Tognetti called prison “necessary” and “appropriate” for Reed, whom she said presents an “unreasonable risk to the community.” She said she was bound by the plea deal to recommend a prison sentence of five to 10, but also requested currently active no-contact orders be extended for 25 years.

The prosecutor pointed to the pre-sentence investigation and psychosexual evaluation, which said Reed had not taken accountability for her actions choosing instead to see herself as a victim — having been assaulted in the past by Norton.

In rebuttal, Fry said that Reed’s commitment to being sober was proof she was accountable for her actions. Adding that institutionalized sex offender treatment would be a negative for Reed, who would be forced to explore her past victimization.

Reed prepared her own written statement, which she asked Fry to read in court.

She said she has spent the last two years reflecting on her actions and has completed several treatment programs, including Alcoholics Anonymous where she is now sponsoring others. She said she has separated from Norton and taken on gainful employment.

“I have learned how to create and maintain healthy boundaries in my relationships,” she said, asking Gabiola to allow her to continue being a productive member of society.

Gabiola also pointed to the PSI and psychosexual evaluation. The expert who evaluated her, the judge said, found Reed “evasive and defensive” and having poor emotional regulation and impulse control.

He sided with the investigation and evaluation, saying that, for the benefit of the community, Reed should be subject to sexual offender treatment while incarcerated. Gabiola also extended no-contact orders barring both Reed and Norton from contact with the victims for 25 years.

A warrant has been issued for Norton, who did not appear in court. His $150,000 bond has been forfeited and he is at risk of losing any benefits including in his plea agreement — the same as the one reached with Reed.

However, Tognetti said during the hearing that the purpose of the plea deal was to protect the victims from being forced to testify.

At the conclusion of the hearing, Reed was remanded into the custody of the Idaho Department of Correction and transported to the Pocatello Women’s Correctional Center.

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POCATELLO — A couple police say was found in possession of an apparent explosive device and “a small amount of drugs” faces multiple felony charges.

Chelsie Ann Hill, 39, and Brian Charles Fremont, 38, each face one count of possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of bombs or destructive devices, court records show.

While on patrol around 11:30 p.m. Jan. 6, a Pocatello police officer stopped a vehicle on East Oak Street. According to an affidavit of probable cause, the stop was initiated after the officer ran a Utah dealership license plate displayed on the vehicle, and it did not return.

Officers spoke with the driver, Hill, who said she did not have registration or insurance for the vehicle.

Hill complied with the officers’ request to step out of the vehicle but would not provide consent to search the car. Both Hill and the passenger, Fremont, were asked to step away from the vehicle so a narcotic K9 could perform an open-air sniff around the vehicle.

The K9 indicated the pressence of drugs near the rear, passenger-side door.

Based on the indication from the dog, officers conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle. During their search, officers allegedly found white powdery crystalline substances they identified as methamphetamine inside the vehicle’s center console.

The substance was tested and returned a presumptive positive for methamphetamine.

As they continued their search, officers found a prescription bottle with a fuse coming out of the top and a black powdery substance on the outside.

Officers asked Hill and Fremont what the item was. Both said they had no knowledge of the any illegal items inside the vehicle, the affidavit says.

The officers requested assistance from the Idaho Falls Police Bomb Squad in disposing of the device — described as an orange pill bottle, filled with gray powder and sealed with a white cap with a protruding canon fuse.

On the advice of the bomb squad lieutenant, officers emptied the contents of the pill bottle, removed the fuse and secured the bottle as evidence.

Both Hill and Fremont were taken to Bannock County Jail, where they were booked and are being held.

Though Hill and Fremont have been charged with these crimes, it does not necessarily mean they committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.

If they are found guilty, both could face up to 12 years in prison.

Both are scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing before Magistrate Judge Carol Tippi Jarman on Jan. 22.

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CHUBBUCK — A man who allegedly forced his way into a home and threatened the residents with a knife before turning the knife on himself is now facing felonies.

Jeremiah David Mcintosh, 39, has been charged with burglary for the forced entry along with two counts of aggravated assault, court records show.

Chubbuck police officers responded to reports of a disturbance at a home on the 5100 block of Independence Avenue around 6 p.m. Dec. 19, according to an affidavit of probable cause. A caller told officers Mcintosh was threatening people with a knife.

While they were en route, officers were informed that Mcintosh had stabbed himself in the throat with the knife.

EMS was dispatched to the home.

When they arrived, officers searched the home with their guns drawn. They eventually found Mcintosh laying in a hallway “with a large amount of blood near the area of his neck,” the affidavit says. Mcintosh was holding a towel to the wound.

He reportedly told the officers the knife was partially under his body. They were able to get to find and secure the knife.

Mcintosh refused assistance from EMS, but police ordered a check anyway.

After he refused to speak with officers, EMTs stabilized the bleeding and took Mcintosh to Portneuf Medical Center for treatment.

Officers then spoke with the victims, who said Mcintosh had forced his way into the home with a folding pocket knife opened exposing the three-inch blade, the affidavit says. One of the victims said Mcintosh approached her with the knife, then “slit” his own throat.

The victim provided officers with a video of the incident, which reportedly shows Mcintosh yelling at the victim while standing between her and the door. A second victim, a 15-year-old, told officers he heard yelling, then footsteps approaching his bedroom door.

He said Mcintosh kicked in his door and displayed a knife, so the boy attempted to through his window. He said Mcintosh then went after the first victim.

Officers noted in police reports the boy’s bedroom door was damaged, consistent with being kicked in.

After he was cleared medically, Mcintosh was taken to Bannock County Jail and booked. He was released on his own recognizance with no-contact orders on Dec. 28.

Though Mcintosh has been charged with these crimes, it does not necessarily mean he committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.

If he is found guilty, Mcintosh would face up to 20 years in prison.

He is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing before Magistrate Judge Carol Tippi Jarman on Monday.

The post Chubbuck man accused of threatening two people with a knife appeared first on East Idaho News.

POCATELLO — Police say a man attacked a fellow emergency room patient, leaving him in need of facial stitches. He has been charged with a felony.

Matthew Alan Bohney, 24, faces one count of aggravated battery, court records show.

Pocatello police officers responded to calls reporting a battery at the Portneuf Medical Center emergency room around 6:30 p.m. Sept. 27, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

Upon arrival, officers first spoke with the alleged attacker, Bohney.

Bohney prefaced his account of the incident, telling officers he suffers from schizophrenia. He said he could hear his neighbor telling him through a shared wall that he was going to sexually assault Bohney’s girlfriend, according to police.

Bohney said he confronted the man and punched him in the face, above the right eye.

Police reports show the victim required stitches where Bohney hit him. A doctor told police the victim would require six stitches.

Officers spoke with the victim, who reportedly said he was sitting in his bed when Bohney walked into his room unprovoked and punched him in the face. Officers were also provided security footage of the incident.

Officers asked the victim and a caseworker who was in the room at the time of the incident if the victim made any comments about assaulting Bohney’s girlfriend. Both, the affidavit shows, said the victim did not say a word.

Bohney was moved into mental protective custody with an imminent arrest affidavit.

He was arrested and taken to Bannock County Jail on Dec. 21. Bohney posted a $10,000 bond the same day.

Though Bohney has been charged with this crime, it does not necessarily mean he committed it. Everyone is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.

If he is found guilty, Bohney would face up to 15 years in prison.

He is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing before Magistrate Judge David Hooste on Jan. 17.

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CHUBBUCK — A man who allegedly held a knife to a man’s neck and fired several gunshots into a home during separate incidents faces multiple felony charges.

Dominick Adrian Zazweta, 32, has been charged with aggravated assault, two counts of discharging a firearm at an occupied building and unlawful possession of a firearm, court records show.

Dec. 19

Chubbuck police received an anonymous tip reporting a stabbing, according to an affidavit of probable cause. The tipster told police Zazweta had stabbed another man who was being held at Bannock County Jail.

Officers spoke with the purported victim, whom court records show faces drug possession and burglary charges, at the jail.

The victim told police an incident had occurred between him and Zazweta, he believed, on Dec. 12 or 13 at a home on Circle Inn Drive. The victim, Zazweta and several other people were discussing drugs when Zazweta began to yell at the victim, accusing him of “talking s***,” the affidavit says.

Zazweta then allegedly punched the victim in the face before pulling a knife and putting it to the victim’s neck. The victim said Zazweta held the knife to his neck with enough pressure to break the skin and make his neck bleed.

Police reports show the victim’s left eye was bruised, consistent with his story. He also had a “small cut” on his neck.

The victim told police Zazweta had access to gun and expressed concern Zazweta would harm someone.

Officers also spoke with a witness, who said she could not recall the exact date of the incident; however, she had witnessed Zazweta putting a knife to the victim’s neck firm enough to cut his neck and cause blood to run.

Dec. 31

Pocatello police responded to calls reporting a disturbance at a home on Cobble Court around 3 a.m., according to an affidavit of probable cause.

Officers could hear gunshots coming from the home as they approached, according to police reports. Prior to reaching the home, officers were passed by a grey pickup truck leaving the area “at a high rate of speed.”

While some officers redirected to pursue the truck, others continued to the home where the incident had been reported. There, police spoke with a man who said he had exchanged gunfire with a person attempting to break into his home through a window.

Four apparent bullet holes were visible in the window to which the victim was referring, officers reported. They searched the area and determined no one else needed assistance.

They also located two shell casings and one fired bullet in the front yard of the home.

One of the residents of the home identified Zazweta as the man who had knocked on the front door while holding a gun earlier that same night. That person told officers they had received threats from Zazweta on social media.

The threats, police reports show, included pictures of a black 9mm handgun.

Residents of the home told police Zazweta had fired a gun near the home several days prior. They didn’t report it out of fear of retaliation.

Meanwhile, officers and Idaho State Police troopers performed a traffic stop on the gray pickup truck and identified Zazweta as a passenger. When they searched the truck, they found a black 9mm handgun matching the one in pictures provided by the victim.

Zazweta was taken to Bannock County Jail for booking. While he was being held, an officer with the Chubbuck Police Department visited him to inform him of the additional charges that would be filed regarding the knife incident.

He is being held on separate bonds of $50,000 and $200,000.

Though Zazweta has been charged with these crimes, it does not necessarily mean he committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.

If he is found guilty, Zazweta would face up to 40 years in prison.

He is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing before Magistrate Judge Scott Axline on Jan. 16.

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