Month: September 2025

News Team

BINGHAM COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho’s judicial system is facing online threats following a wave of misinformation that has spread across social media. The Idaho Judicial Branch has issued a public statement condemning the actions, which are centered on the plea deal of former BYU baseball player Candon Dahle.

The Candon Dahle Case

Candon Dahle, a Blackfoot native, was originally charged with one felony count of lewd conduct with a minor child under 16. During his sentencing, his alleged victim, a now 15-year-old girl, told the court how Dahle had sexually assaulted her from the age of 7-12, according to a report by KSL.

The case was settled through a binding plea agreement, a common legal tool where the defendant and prosecution agree on a specific resolution. In this instance, Dahle pleaded guilty to two felony counts of injury to a child, a charge that, under Idaho law, does not carry the requirement to register as a sex offender, according to the Idaho Judicial Branch.

“Both sides agreed that Dahle would be sentenced to probation with potential prison time if he violated it…” states the Idaho Judicial Branch in the release. “This was a “binding” plea agreement, meaning the sentencing judge could accept or reject the agreement, but could not alter its terms.”

The judge, in a move that exceeded the requests of both sides, also added 180 days in jail. The judge’s decision was based on a variety of factors, including arguments from both parties, a victim impact statement, and other legal considerations.

Misinformation and Escalating Threats

The controversy began when social media posts distorted the facts of the case, leading to the false claim that a judge had chosen not to sentence a “rapist” to prison. This widespread misinformation has incited a nationwide campaign of threats against the local court.

The Idaho Judicial Branch reports that the threats have become increasingly graphic and detailed, requiring additional security precautions at public expense. In one alarming incident, people believed they saw the judge at a local fair and urged others to “track him down,” according to the release. Court staff have reportedly been told to expect a group coming to “get” the judge, and some online messages have even called for the judge and his children to be sexually assaulted.

A Call for Judicial Independence

In their official release, the Idaho Judicial Branch stressed the importance of judicial independence and urged the public to “pause and become acquainted with the facts” of the case. They emphasized that criticism of judicial decisions is a fundamental part of a free society, but that threatening violence is unacceptable.

“It is never acceptable to threaten harm to a judge or to intervene in the independent, impartial handling of a case. If courts decided matters based on public opinion instead of evidence and legal standards, the consequences would reach far beyond this case — affecting business disputes, criminal prosecutions, and even the ability of citizens to challenge government actions in court,” states the release.

Local News 8 has included the entire release from the Idaho Judicial Branch below.

20250907-threats_0Download

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Supporters of Victor Perez are planning to gather at the Pocatello City Council meeting tonight to speak out after the investigation into his shooting concluded.

On Wednesday, the Idaho Attorney General’s office announced its determination based on an investigation by the Eastern Idaho Critical Incident Task Force: the four officers who shot Perez would not be criminally charged.

In response, moderators of the “Justice for Victor” Facebook page have organized what they are calling a “peaceful community gathering” for this evening. Online posts have also encouraged people to sign up to speak at the regular city council meeting.

Local News 8 is keeping track of this developing story and will provide updates from the meeting.

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News Release

The following is a news release from the Acting U.S. Attorney for Idaho’s office:

POCATELLO – Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott announced the results of three separate drug distribution cases in eastern Idaho today.

In one case, Andrea Nichole O’Brien, 38, of Pocatello, was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it to others. After law enforcement officers stopped O’Brien for a traffic violation, a dog, which was trained and certified to detect the odor of illegal drugs, alerted to the odor of narcotics in the vehicle. During a search, police officers located 106.3 grams of methamphetamine under the driver seat and a loaded Glock 43 handgun in the driver’s door.

Andrea Nichole O’Brien, courtesy Bannock County Sheriff’s Office

Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered O’Brien to serve five years of supervised release following her prison sentence. O’Brien pleaded guilty to the charge in May 2025.

Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott commended the Pocatello Police Department for their investigation that led to the charges in this case. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Zoie Laggis prosecuted this case.

In the second case, Curtis Lee Campbell, 40, of American Falls, was sentenced to 143 months in federal prison for the distribution of methamphetamine. According to court records, in April and June 2024, Campbell sold methamphetamine to another person on three occasions in eastern Idaho. The first sale consisted of 7.24 grams, the second 27.23 grams, and the third was 28.62 grams, totaling 63.09 grams of methamphetamine. At sentencing, the Court determined that Campbell was a career offender because he had at least two prior felony convictions for controlled substance offenses.

Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Campbell to serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Campbell pleaded guilty to the charge in May 2025.

Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott commended the Pocatello Police Department, the Idaho State Police, the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration for their investigation which led to the charges in this case. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Zoie Laggis prosecuted this case.

In the third case, Jessica Dona Elison, 44, of Pocatello, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it to others. According to court records, Elison traveled to Mexico or Arizona to get methamphetamine from her supplier. Bingham County Sheriff’s detectives were granted a search warrant to place a tracking device on the vehicle that Elison was driving. Detectives observed her vehicle coming back to Idaho. After Elison’s vehicle broke down in Pocatello, she moved the methamphetamine from her vehicle to another vehicle. During a search of that vehicle, officers found a bag that contained 281.53 grams of methamphetamine and 68.5 grams of marijuana.

Jessica Dona Elison, Courtesy: Bannock County Sheriff’s Office

Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Elison to serve five years of supervised release following her prison sentence. Elison pleaded guilty to the charge in May 2025.

Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott commended the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office, and the BADGES Task Force, which is a HIDTA-funded task force that includes the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pocatello Police Department, the Idaho State Police, the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office, and the Chubbuck Police Department, for their investigation which led to the charges in this case. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Zoie Laggis prosecuted this case.

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