Three more charged in Fremont County voter fraud case, FBI’s early involvement confirmed in court docs
By Seth Ratliff, Stephanie Lucas
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September 10, 2025 (KIFI) — ISLAND PARK, Idaho (KIFI) — The voter fraud investigation in Fremont County has expanded. Local News 8 has now confirmed through court records that authorities have charged three more people with voter fraud in a 2023 Island Park election, bringing the total number of accused individuals to ten. Local News 8 first broke news of the voter fraud investigation Sunday Night.
On August 28, 2025, detectives questioned Teara Gailbraith, David Jenson, and Michelle Green. According to court documents, all three were charged on September 2nd.
They join the initial seven individuals who were arrested and charged on August 28. All ten are accused of fraudulently voting “in the May 26, 2023 AMB LEVY-AUD, while not being a resident of Island Park,” and each is charged with Illegal Voting and perjury.
Those seven arrested individuals are as follows: Teara Gailbraith David Jenson Michelle Green Marian McKenna Rodney McKenna Christi Spinner David Spinner Marcye Gifford Chad Vanderbeek Winter Mickleberry
The election, which was decided by a narrow margin, centered on a proposed district that would have imposed a 5% lodging tax on short-term rentals, increasing the booking price for Airbnbs, cabins, etc. Many local property owners had publicly voiced concerns that the tax would make their businesses less competitive with those in nearby West Yellowstone.
The Community Center vote created intense community debate. Local News 8 has received multiple calls and emails since our initial investigation from residents and property owners describing a concerted effort from both sides of the issue to register voters ahead of the election.
Officials from the Idaho Attorney General’s Office and the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office have confirmed that they are not involved in the case.
The seven individuals initially arrested are scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing at 1 p.m. on Sept. 17 before Magistrate Judge Faren Eddins.
The additional court documents in the ongoing Fremont County voter fraud case have also revealed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has been involved in the investigation since at least April 2024.
The affidavit, filed in the case of Teara Gailbraith, states that on April 26, 2024, Detective John Harding assisted “Special Agent Almeda from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.” According to Detective Harding’s sworn statement, the FBI agent was investigating an alleged voter fraud incident that occurred during the May 16, 2023, election in Island Park. This election included a ballot measure regarding the formation of the Island Park Community Auditorium District, to be funded by a lodging tax.
The affidavit further details that on May 2, 2024, Detective Harding obtained a list of challenged voters from the Fremont County clerk. According to the affidavit, Gailbraith’s name was included in that list. She is accused of using a short-term rental address in Island Park, found on the website visitislandparkidaho.com, to vote in the election. The affidavit also notes that Gailbraith’s driver’s license, issued on December 26, 2023, lists a North Ogden, Utah, address.
While the exact number of names on this list is not disclosed, ten individuals have been arrested in connection with the investigation so far. According to arrest and property records, their primary addresses are in cities like Rigby, Ashton, Idaho Falls, and Herriman, Utah. Despite the subject matter, the arrests received little attention outside of Fremont County.
Local News 8 has reached out to the FBI field office in Salt Lake City for comment and is awaiting a response. However, the FBI’s website provides insight into its role in such cases. The site states that the “DOJ’s role is limited to investigating and prosecuting violations of federal election laws and deterring criminal conduct.” It adds, “DOJ generally does not engage in overt criminal investigative measures in matters involving alleged ballot fraud until the election in question has been concluded, its results certified, and all recounts and election contests concluded.”
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