Author: KIFI

InvestigateWest

Editor’s note: “Guarded by Predators” is an investigative series exposing rape and abuse by Idaho’s prison guards and the system that shields them. Find the entire series at investigatewest.org/guarded-by-predators.

By: Whitney Bryen / InvestigateWest

IDAHO (InvestigateWest) — As Idaho reckons with revelations of widespread sexual abuse by women’s prison staff, the Trump administration has cut off support meant to help states combat that kind of abuse.   

Funding for the National Prison Rape Elimination Act Resource Center was abruptly cut by the U.S. Department of Justice in April, shuttering the 15-year-old program that helped jails and prisons implement federal standards designed to protect incarcerated youth and adults from sexual exploitation and ensured facilities complied with those standards.

Some of that funding has been restored, and the resource center relaunched but with a more limited directive: It no longer supports facilities through training, consulting and grants. Now, it only monitors them. 

Trainings that once taught corrections staff in Idaho and across the country how to investigate sexual abuse behind bars have ceased. Guidance for detecting which inmates are most vulnerable to abuse and how to reduce that risk have not been updated. And grants that supported independent assessments of prisons and other efforts to increase inmate safety have halted. 

The impact of cuts to the resource center — run by a nonprofit through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Justice — played out at a recent meeting of Idaho’s Board of Correction, which provides public oversight of the state prison system. 

The Dec. 3 meeting was prompted by InvestigateWest’s recent reporting, which exposed unchecked sexual abuse of inmates by women’s prison workers and retaliation against victims who spoke up. Idaho prison system director Bree Derrick, who previously disputed that there is a culture of letting guards off the hook for sexual abuse and retaliation, suggested that the board pay for an independent, “full-blown cultural assessment.” 

But amid a state budget crunch and crumbling prison infrastructure, board members balked at the $50,000 to $75,000 price tag, prompting the board chairman to ask if there was another source of funding for the study. 

“The federal PREA resource center used to cover that kind of thing,” Derrick answered. “But that’s no longer an option.”

It’s unclear exactly how much the impact of the cuts will trickle down to Idaho. Idaho’s Department of Correction said it received $10,224 in federal Prison Rape Elimination Act grants to be used between October 2025 and September 2026, but didn’t specify if that money came from the resource center, which gives facilities money for specific projects rather than providing recurring federal grants. That’s only a third of what the department received in 2022 to add cameras to two state prisons after a guard was charged with allegedly raping an inmate at Pocatello Women’s Correctional Center, the Idaho Statesman reported. 

Seven people working to prevent prison sexual abuse, including former U.S. Department of Justice employees, told InvestigateWest that dismantling that support system sends a dangerous message, particularly in Idaho, a state that incarcerates more women per capita than any other state and already struggles to protect people in its care. 

Linda McFarlane, director of Just Detention International, said recent cuts to the National Prison Rape Elimination Act Resource Center send a dangerous message to prisons that sexual abuse prevention is no longer a priority. (Provided)

A Justice Department spokesperson declined to answer questions about the resource center’s new directive and whether more cuts are expected. An InvestigateWest request for public documents detailing the center’s funding is still pending. 

Linda McFarlane is the executive director of Just Detention International, a nonprofit that was paid by the resource center to advise jails and prison systems that requested support. That service is no longer available. The cuts, McFarlane said, send “the message that this is not a priority anymore.”

“And I think that sort of backsliding,” she said, “makes everybody less safe.”

Impact of changes still murky 

Eight months after the resource center relaunched, little is known about how much funding it has and how that money will protect people in custody.

When the Justice Department abruptly pulled its funding in April, shutting down the center, a spokesperson said “discretionary funds that are no longer aligned with the (Trump) administration’s priorities are subject to review and reallocation,” in an email to The Appeal.

Lorie Brisbin led Idaho’s efforts to prevent and respond to sexual abuse behind bars, even before federal standards were solidified. She later joined the National Institute of Corrections where she worked closely with the resource center to train correction employees nationwide. In the 15 years Brisbin worked there, she said it wasn’t unusual for programs to adapt and change based on the needs of facilities — but none were as jarring as what she witnessed this year.

“I think there was probably duplication and things in different offices that could have been looked at and handled in a very deliberate, thoughtful way,” Brisbin said. “But this slash-and-burn approach of, ‘Let’s just get rid of everybody we think we don’t need, and then we’ll add them back on later if we find out we need them,’ it’s just crazy.”

Changes to the resource center website offer clues into the administration’s agenda. Compliance monitoring at juvenile detention facilities, jails and prisons remains a priority. Helping facilities meet the standards no longer is. 

Before the center was shut down, the site described its mission as “working to eliminate sexual abuse in confinement” by assisting corrections agencies, family and community stakeholders. Now, its narrowed purpose is simply to “advance the conduct of PREA audits.”

Josephine Wonsun Hahn, who studies justice policy at the advocacy group Brennan Center for Justice, said even correctional facilities that auditors deemed in compliance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act are likely to suffer as a result of disappearing grants and expertise that was once available to correction facilities.   

“Eliminating these federal funds really undermines the implementation of the law across facilities, those in compliance or not, because even coming into compliance takes ongoing, dedicated work,” Wonsun Hahn said.

The public has been left in the dark about exactly how much funding was restored and how that money is being used. 

Impact Justice, the nonprofit that operates the resource center, refused to provide information about how it’s using taxpayer money.

In 2024, Impact Justice spent $8.8 million on the resource center, down from $9.2 million the year before, according to a financial audit. 

Former Justice Department and resource center employees declined to speak to InvestigateWest for this story or refused to be named, some citing fear of retaliation from the Trump administration. 

The federal standards require each state to have a Prison Rape Elimination Act coordinator who brings best practices to jails and prisons in their state and helps them follow state and federal policies. Members of the National Association of PREA Coordinators, which leads advocacy and collaboration efforts in the field, refused interview requests for this article, stating in an email that “we do not wish to compromise the position of our agencies on this politically charged issue.” 

Instead, they provided a written statement that said while the reduction in resources from the center “does not compromise our commitment to this principle, it does slow our progress. Compliance support — namely, training and technical assistance — previously provided by the PRC must now be patchworked together by a network of correctional professionals and agencies.” 

Linda Bruntmyer, whose son committed suicide in prison after being raped, spoke in support of the Prison Rape Elimination Act at a 2003 event in Washington D.C. hosted by Just Detention International, formerly called Stop Prisoner Rape. (Provided)

In Idaho, after InvestigateWest found discrepancies in the state’s compliance with PREA standards — such as failing to properly investigate and report complaints to law enforcement — Derrick announced that the Department of Correction would review its staff sexual misconduct policy and provide training for inmates on their rights under the federal law. Idaho’s PREA coordinator position, a person who would help guide those changes, has been vacated since the last coordinator retired in September. 

All of Idaho’s congressional delegates either failed to respond or declined interview requests about the federal cuts and InvestigateWest’s recent reports revealing rampant abuse by Idaho women’s prison staff and the state’s failure to properly investigate those allegations and hold abusers accountable. 

U.S. Senator Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, voted for the Prison Rape Elimination Act when it was passed in 2003. Crapo declined to be interviewed. Instead, his staff provided an emailed statement that said he has asked the Department of Justice for more information “about the PREA resource center and its future, as well as how DOJ will enforce statutory guidelines going forward.”

Independent audits

In most states, including Idaho, federal audits are the only mechanism enforcing the Prison Rape Elimination Act. 

Auditors certified by the PREA resource center assess whether jails and prisons track and investigate sexual abuse complaints, report them to law enforcement when a crime is alleged and follow policies that protect vulnerable inmates in line with federal standards. But so far, no new auditor trainings are scheduled despite a shortage that could delay mandatory inspections, according to several people interviewed who work in the field. 

That’s “one of the most detrimental losses,” the National Association of PREA Coordinators said in its statement. 

“Without a pathway any longer for professionals to become certified as a (federal) Auditor, it will become staggeringly difficult to maintain an effective audit process,” according to the group’s statement. 

The resource center also collects audit reports and makes them publicly available on its website. And it flags facilities that are in violation of safety standards, putting inmates at risk of sexual harassment and assault and states at risk of losing federal funding.  

The standards require juvenile detention facilities, jails and prisons to be audited at least once every three years. Auditors are chosen and paid by the prison system or facility they’re inspecting. 

The Idaho Department of Correction spends about $50,000 each year on audits, director Derrick said at the December meeting. 

Failed audits put states at risk of losing 5% of federal grants provided to prisons, which tallied more than $325,000 in the most recent funding year, according to the Idaho Department of Correction. 

An InvestigateWest review of Idaho’s most recent audit reports for its three women’s prisons found violations of the federal standards, including failure to report sexual abuse complaints to law enforcement. Auditors noted the discrepancies but passed the facilities anyway.  

Without a state system for overseeing Idaho prisons, federal audits are the only independent assessment of Department of Correction’s handling of sexual abuse behind bars. 

Some of those auditors and victim advocates criticize federal enforcement as toothless. 

McFarlane, whose nonprofit once advised facilities through the resource center and continues to push for stronger inmate-safety laws, said enforcement of the standards is weak despite ongoing audits. That shows states need more support, not less, to meet core standards like investigating sexual-abuse allegations.

“Investigations are nowhere near what they need to be,” McFarlane said. “Nowhere near. But they’re required to do them.” 

InvestigateWest (investigatewest.org) is an independent news nonprofit dedicated to investigative journalism in the Pacific Northwest. Reporter Whitney Bryen can be reached at 208-918-2458, whitney@investigatewest.org and on X @WhitneyBryen.

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Seth Ratliff

CANYON COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — A 40-year-old Nampa man is in custody following an investigation by the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit. Attorney General Raúl Labrador announced Wednesday that Nathan Carr was arrested on December 16 for seven counts of possession of sexually exploitative material. According to the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office Jail records, Carr has also been charged with one count of Sexual Exploitation of a Child.

The arrest was the result of a coordinated effort between the ICAC Unit, the Nampa Police Department, and the Canyon County Prosecutor’s Office. Carr was arraigned the following day, December 17, where a judge set his bond at $250,000.

Attorney General Labrador stated that the timing of the arrest underscores the state’s commitment to child safety throughout the year.

“Threats to Idaho families don’t stop during the holidays, and neither does our work to protect them,” said Attorney General Labrador. “As Idahoans celebrate the holidays, we remain committed to protecting families and children from exploitation. Our investigators and law enforcement partners across the state will continue this critical work every day to keep Idaho’s kids safe.”

Carr is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on December 31, 2025, at 8:30 AM.

The Attorney General’s ICAC Unit operates in conjunction with the Idaho ICAC Task Force, a broad coalition of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Individuals with information regarding the exploitation of children are encouraged to contact their local police department, the Attorney General’s ICAC Unit at 208-947-8700, or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678.

For more information, click HERE.

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Seth Ratliff

UPDATE:

AMMON, Idaho (KIFI) — As of 2:30 PM, power has been restored in Ammon following Thursday morning’s outage to more than 150 homes.

ORIGINAL:

AMMON, Idaho (KIFI) — More than 150 homes in Ammon are facing a cold Thursday morning following a power outage reported late this morning.

Rocky Mountain Power confirmed the service disruption began at approximately 11:08 AM on Thursday, December 18. As of now, it is unclear if the outage is weather-related or due to an equipment issue, but the utility provider confirms the cause is under investigation.

The incident comes on the heels of a string of outages to the south in Bannock and Bingham Counties, where crews have been working to repair damage caused by yesterday’s severe thunderstorms and high winds.

RELATED: 80 mph winds, wicked weather sweeps across Eastern Idaho

Crews have been notified of the outage, and the utility provider estimates that electricity will be restored to the area by 2:30 PM.

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Seth Ratliff

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — After a thorough investigation, Pocatello detectives have identified every individual connected to a Sunday morning shooting that left a man hospitalized. The Bannock County Prosecutor’s Office is currently reviewing the case with detectives to determine what criminal charges will be filed as the investigation enters its final stages.

RELATED: Early morning shooting in Pocatello under investigation

The incident began at approximately 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14, when officers found a man, whose name has not been released, lying in the roadway from a gunshot wound. Police provided immediate life-saving measures until paramedics arrived to transport the victim to a local hospital. Officials confirmed his injuries were non-life-threatening, though his current condition has not been made public.

Police reached out to the public for help in their investigation, asking for any witnesses or people with information or potential security video to come forward. Authorities have assured residents of Pocatello that the shooting appears to be an isolated incident and there is no known threat to the public.

Pocatello Police say further information will be released as it becomes available.

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News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Classes at Taylorview Middle School will not be held Dec. 18 due to heating issues caused by power outages on Wednesday.

District 91 officials say the outages impacted the building’s classroom heat pumps, leaving the school too cold to safely hold classes. D91 Maintenance crews are on site and working to replace the heating pumps, with repairs expected to be completed by the afternoon.

Despite the closure during the school day, the choir concert scheduled for Thursday night at Taylorview will continue as planned. The concert is set to begin at 6:30 p.m.

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Stephanie Lucas

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Two children were seriously injured when high winds knocked over a large tree this morning, according to the Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Department.

Twin Falls County deputies responded to the scene right before 7 AM.

The children, both under the age of ten, were outside waiting for the school bus when thetree landed on them. The falling tree also took out power lines. An older sibling was also present, butuninjured.

Despite the high winds, Air St. Luke’s was able to land near the scene and transport one child to St. Luke’s Magic Valley. The other child was transported to the hospital by ground ambulance.

Magic Valley Paramedics, Twin Falls Fire Department, and Idaho Power assisted deputies onscene. In a Facebook post, the Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office said “their quick actions made a critical difference.”

The Sheriff’s Department also said in the post to “please be mindful of wind-related dangers, especially around older or weakened trees, loose debris, and outdoor structures. If possible, avoid areas with large or aging trees until conditions improve.”

Two children were injured when a tree fell on top of them while waiting for the bus.

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David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – As AI integrates with learning in the classroom, one lawmaker is proposing an “AI in Education Framework” to guide students and teachers in safely adopting the technology in schools.

“Everybody’s heard about AI and how exciting it is,” said Senator Kevin Cook (R-Idaho Falls), “and sometimes it scares parents to death. And quite frankly, it should.”

But Cook said it is essential that Idaho educators embrace AI technology and prepare students for the jobs of the future.

“Your kids and you, yourself, have AI all around you,” he explained. “AI is being used in just about everything you do. It’s in your cars. It’s on your cell phones. It’s on your computers. A lot of times it’s in your lighting, in your homes. It’s everywhere. And so let’s get out in front of it and keep our kids safe.”

He hosted a roundtable earlier this year with 20 AI-experts from industries and institutions across the state – including Micron, Boise State University, banking, manufacturing and health care.

“If we’re going to be able to support the jobs in the future that have AI, then we need to start teaching our kids AI. We need to have our teachers knowledgeable of AI,” Cook said. “So what we were trying to do is build a framework.”

He clarified that the “AI in Education Framework” differs from a set curriculum of rules and standards.

Cook identifies five key aims in his draft legislation that the framework is working to protect – “safeguard student privacy, protect the role of the educator, promote human-centered learning, increase transparency and prepare Idaho students for success in an economy increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence technologies.”

Cook intends to introduce the legislation in January to the Senate Education Committee. If approved, it would require approval by both the Idaho House of Representatives and the Idaho Senate to go before Governor Little. 

Students are learning how to use AI in classrooms across Idaho. | KIFI file photo

Download the draft “Artificial Intelligence in Education’ bill here.Download

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Seth Ratliff

EASTERN IDAHO — “Wicked” weather is wreaking havoc across the region today as a line of powerful thunderstorms sweeps through. Local News 8 is tracking this storm in real-time and will provide continuous live updates as new reports of damage and outages come in.

American Falls/Aberdeen: Power Outage and Warming Station

Idaho Power crews are working around the clock to restore electricity in American Falls and Aberdeen. However, the utility warns that some residents should prepare to be without power overnight.

If you are affected, a warming shelter is opening at American Falls High School. To access the facility, you must first contact Power County Dispatch at 208-226-2319.

Downed Trees and Power Lines

With wind gusts clocked at up to and above 80 mph, we are seeing widespread reports of structural damage and utility failures.

Idaho Power crews are working to fix a downed power line in Pocatello on Pocatello Creek Road.

Power County: Travel Advisory

The Power County Sheriff’s Office has issued an alert on Facebook, advising travelers to avoid traveling down North Pleasant Valley Rd and South Pleasant Valley Rd due to multiple downed power lines and trees in the area.

“Please do not travel these roads unless ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY!!!” the Highway District wrote on Facebook. “It is not safe for travel. We have exhausted all of our resources to close the roads. DO NOT travel these roads simply to observe the damage.”

PCSO confirms they have deputies, Idaho Power, and the Power County Highway District addressing the issue.

I-15 closed near Bannock/Oneida County Line

All northbound lanes of I-15 are currently blocked at the Bannock/Oneida County line following a major crash near milepost 28. According to Idaho 511, the incident began around 1:27 PM.

Local drivers have reported multiple overturned semi-trucks south of McCammon, with photos showing the impact to the area.

Butte County

Severe winds have left a trail of damage in Howe, Idaho, with the local community center bearing the brunt of the storm. Resident Kevin Smith reports that two power poles were impacted and a transformer was knocked to the ground at the facility. He says utility crews are currently on-site and are expected to continue repairs through midnight.

The wind also damaged two local churches: photos show significant roofing torn from the LDS church building and a large tree downed at the Little Lost River Bible Church.

I-84 reopens after Semis blown over by severe winds

Both directions of Interstate 84 were closed between mile markers 230 and 240 due to two separate semi-truck rollovers caused by high winds. The road reopened around 1 p.m. Wednesday.

The Cassia County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the closure via Facebook.

A semi tipped over on I-86 near American Falls. Courtesy: Jessica Grover

Bingham County: Travel Advisory/Downed Power Lines

Bingham County Sheriff’s Office has issued a travel advisory due to the extreme weather sweeping through the area, warning drivers to avoid traveling west of Aberdeen due to “multiple power lines down all over the roads.” The Power Company and officers are on the scene, and BCSO says they are addressing the issue as best as they can.

A semi is pushed off the I-86 near American Falls. Courtesy: Jessica Grover

Pocatello: Downed Lines and Fallen Trees

Pocatello Police are currently responding to a surge of calls involving fallen trees and downed power lines. Authorities are urging all residents to exercise extreme caution when leaving their homes, as hazards may be obscured by debris.

Police and Fire personnel are working to reopen roads and secure affected areas while utilities work to shut off power to impacted lines.

If you see a downed power line, Police say assume it is live and follow these safety tips.

Stay at least 30 feet away from the line and anything touching it.

Do not attempt to move the line or objects around it.

Avoid driving over or stepping near water that may be energized.

If a powerline falls on your vehicle, stay inside until emergency personnel arrive.

Call 911 or the utility company to report downed lines immediately.

Crews work to clear a fallen tree on Riverside Drive in Pocatello on December 17, 2025.

Regional: Power Outages

Multiple power outages are currently affecting the region. You can monitor the restoration progress via the official maps below:

Idaho Power Outage Map

Rocky Mountain Power Outage Map

Bingham County: Severe Weather Warning Issued

The Bannock County Sheriff’s Office has issued an alert regarding the hazard of 70 mph wind gusts and a line of severe thunderstorms moving southeast. Authorities are warning of potential damage to trees, mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings in the region.

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for the latest weather alerts, road closures, and power restoration timelines.

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Seth Ratliff

DRIGGS, Idaho (KIFI) — A 68-year-old Driggs man and registered sex offender is facing federal charges after allegedly sharing and promoting child sexual abuse material. Dennis J. Empey has pleaded not guilty and was granted pretrial release from jail under strict conditions.

Empey was formerly charged with multiple counts of possessing, soliciting, distributing, and disseminating child sexual abuse material in Teton County, Idaho. The case was elevated to federal authorities after Teton County investigators reviewed evidence for potential violations of federal law.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Raymond E. Patricco released Empey from jail, placing him under home confinement with GPS monitoring while he awaits trial. His release is contingent upon strict adherence to several rules, including limited internet access, a total prohibition on contact with minors, and third-party supervision. Any violation of these terms will result in his immediate return to custody.

The charges stem from a December 2024 incident following a report from a hospital worker. According to court filings, the worker spotted images of young children on Empey’s phone while he was attempting to show medical staff a photograph of a wound. On January 15, 2025, detectives interviewed Empey at his residence, where he consented to a digital search of his device.

Upon further search, detectives discovered a cache of sexually exploitative videos and photographs of children. Investigators also discovered WhatsApp messages dating back to September 2024, which detailed communications between Empey and two 17-year-old boys living in other countries.

RELATED: Teton County registered sex offender charged with multiple child exploitation felonies following tip from hospital staff

Empey is a registered sex offender with prior convictions for abusing minors as a Boy Scout Leader.

He is scheduled to go to trial on January 20, 2026, in Pocatello. If convicted on the federal counts, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and the possibility of lifetime supervised release.

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A fast-moving fire destroyed a vehicle and a chicken coop early Wednesday morning, leaving one resident injured and 13 chickens dead.

The Idaho Falls Fire Department was called to the blaze off West Broadway Street at 5:40 a.m. on Dec. 17, where they found a fire burning between two mobile homes.

Crews were able to rapidly contain the flames in under 10 minutes, which prevented the fire from consuming the nearby residences. While the neighboring trailers were saved from destruction, one home sustained partial damage, and a nearby car was completely destroyed.

The chicken coop where the fire originated was a total loss, resulting in the death of 13 chickens. Fire officials have estimated the total property damage from the incident at $30,000.

One resident sustained minor injuries during the incident but declined treatment by EMS at the scene.

According to the Idaho Falls Fire Department, the fire originated in the chicken coop between two trailers off West Broadway Street. The call came in around 5:40, and crews rushed to the scene, quickly containing the fire in under 10 minutes, preventing further damage to the nearby trailer homes.

The chicken coop was a total loss, and 13 chickens perished in the fire. The neighboring trailer was partially impacted, with a nearby car being completely destroyed. Total damages from the incident are estimated at $30,000.

One resident sustained minor injuries and refused treatment by EMS at the scene. According to IFFD, a total of 19 firefighters responded to the call, including three engines, a ladder truck, three ambulances, and a battalion chief. Supporting agencies, including Intermountain Gas and Rocky Mountain Power, also arrived to secure utilities, while a chaplain provided on-site assistance to those affected.

The Idaho Falls Fire Department says it has concluded its investigation into the matter. While the fire was traced back to the chicken coop, the exact cause remains undetermined.

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