Author: KIFI

Maile Sipraseuth

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)– As immigration enforcement continues to raise questions and concerns for families across Idaho, the ACLU of Idaho is reminding immigrants of their rights if ICE or other law enforcement officers come to their home.

“Immigrants have most of the same rights that US citizens do. So they have freedom of speech. They have the freedom to be free of unlawful search and seizures. They have constitutional rights because they are living inside the United States,” Immigration Attorney Tim Jones said.

Here are your rights as an immigrant in the case of ICE coming to your home, according to the ACLU of Idaho:

If the police or immigration agents come to your home, you do not have to let them in unless they have certain kinds of warrants.

Ask the officer to slip the warrant under the door or hold it up to the window so you can inspect it. A search warrant allows police to enter the address listed on the warrant, but officers can only search the areas and for the items listed. An arrest warrant allows police to enter the home of the person listed on the warrant if they believe the person is inside. A warrant of removal/deportation (ICE warrant) does not allow officers to enter a home without consent.

Even if officers have a warrant, you have the right to remain silent under the Fifth Amendment. If you choose to speak to the officers, step outside and close the door.

ICE is also not permitted to enter your home unless they have a legal warrant signed by a judge that states that they have the right to enter your home.

“You will want to make sure and actually look at that warrant and see that warrant for yourself,” Jones said, “They will often say that they have a warrant when they don’t, or they will show you a warrant that’s not actually signed by a judge. And you will want to make sure that it is actually a judicial warrant signed by a judge that gives them that permission.”

In the case that you are questioned by a police officer regarding your legal status, it’s important that you answer truthfully.

“It’s important that you not lie to them, that you not falsely tell them that you are a U.S. citizen if you’re not. But you do not need to tell them what your legal status is,” Jones said.

ICE is permitted to access non-public areas only if they present a valid judicial warrant, and that warrant should be reviewed by legal counsel before any access is allowed.

Here are some reminders in case you are taken into ICE custody,

You have the right to a lawyer, but the government does not have to provide one for you. If you do not have a lawyer, ask for a list of free or low-cost legal services.

You have the right to contact your consulate or have an officer inform the consulate of your arrest.

Tell the ICE agent you wish to remain silent. Do not discuss your immigration status with anyone but your lawyer.

Do not sign anything, such as a voluntary departure or stipulated removal, without talking to a lawyer. If you sign, you may be giving up your opportunity to try to stay in the U.S.

Remember your immigration number (“A” number) and give it to your family. It will help family members locate you.

Keep a copy of your immigration documents with someone you trust.

What to do when ICE comes to your work:

According to CNN, ICE has gone to many workplaces over the past year. Here’s what to do in the case that ICE comes to your workplace.

Designate an immigration point person, someone to interact with ICE and request warrants.

Handling warrants: ICE can access public areas (lobbies, parking lots) without a warrant.

Put up signs marking non-public areas, post clear signs: “Staff only,” “Private,” or “No public access.”

If an agent gains entry to a private area without authorization, state, “I do not consent to your search or to you entering this private area.”

Document ICE activity, record what ICE takes (pictures or videos with permission).

Make essential information for staff easy to access.

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News Team

TETON COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — Teton County Search and Rescue volunteers responded to two simultaneous snowmobile accidents that left two riders with serious injuries on Granite Creek Road this past Friday.

According to a post on TCSAR’s Facebook page, the first call came in just before 4 PM, indicating a 39-year-old man had crashed and rolled about 30 feet down an embankment. The man had seriously injured his leg in the crash. Due to the severity of the man’s injury, TCSAR mobilized both a helicopter and a ground team to the trailhead.

As teams were on the scene of the first site, preparing the rigging for short-haul, the volunteers received another distress call. A guided snowmobile party reported that a 32-year-old woman had collided with a tree. She had reportedly lost consciousness and was suffering from life-threatening injuries.

The serious nature of the accident forced rescue coordinators to pivot resources in real-time. he TCSAR helicopter paused its initial short-haul rescue to ferry a volunteer to the second crash site. It then looped back to the trailhead to pick up two additional rescuers to assist with the woman’s critical condition.

Meanwhile, Jackson Hole Fire/EMS dispatched two ambulances to the trailhead, while TCSAR deployed an additional vehicle and a RZR side-by-side to reach the second patient via the road.

The helicopter then returned to the first scene to take the injured man directly to a waiting ambulance. At the same time, ground teams stabilized the 32-year-old woman and transported her out of the backcountry using the RZR side-by-side. TCSAR says both patients were successfully handed over to Jackson Hole Fire/EMS for further medical treatment.

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Seth Ratliff

BONNEVILLE COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — In the last two months, seven individuals, including three from Bonneville County, were sentenced to prison after being convicted of crimes against children, Attorney General Raúl Labrador announced Tuesday.

Cristian Escalera-Maldonado, Trustin McMurphy, and Matthew Dudley, each of Bonneville County, were sentenced in three cases as part of the investigation and enforcement efforts by the Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit in collaboration with local law enforcement.

“I’m proud of our ICAC prosecutors and investigators, as well as our local law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly to bring these individuals to justice and deliver sentences that protect Idaho families from this evil,” said Attorney General Labrador in a news release. “Their hard work and dedication is resulting in the arrest and sentencing of dangerous criminals from our communities and ensuring children across our state are safer.”

Bonneville County Case Background

Cristian Escalera-Maldonado

Cristian Escalera-Maldonado, 32, received a twelve-year sentence from District Judge Dane H. Watkins on December 1, 2025. His conviction followed a tip to the Idaho Falls Police Department detailing the abuse of a group of minors.

In December 2024, IFPD received a call from a child reporting that Maldonado had abused them and two other children. According to court documents, Maldonado provided alcohol, marijuana, and vapes to three minor children and sexually abused them. He also recorded a portion of the sexual abuse on his phone.

On Sunday, December 22, 2024, investigators with the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office and the Idaho Falls Police Department serving in the Attorney General’s ICAC Unit arrested Maldonado at his home in Bonneville County. He was originally charged with four (4) counts of sexual battery of a minor 16 or 17 years old, one (1) count of lewd conduct with a minor under sixteen, one (1) count of sexual exploitation by production of child sexual abuse material, and one (1) count of sexual exploitation by possession of child sexual abuse material.

In September 2025, Maldonado pleaded guilty to two counts of Sexual Battery of a Minor Child Sixteen or Seventeen Years of Age and one count of Lewd and Lascivious Conduct with a Minor Child Under Sixteen. Judge Watkins sentenced Maldonado to a total sentence of twelve years with ten years fixed and two years indeterminate.

Trustin McMurphy

In a separate case, 20-year-old Trustin McMurphy was sentenced to fifteen years in prison following a CyberTip that alerted authorities to possible child pornography on his digital devices.

In January of 2024, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant on McMurphey’s home, where they discovered numerous files depicting young children in graphic situations. According to court documents, many of these files depicted young girls ranging from ages two to fourteen years old, some of which depicted children engaged in sexual acts with adult men.

McMurphy was charged with 10 counts of felony willfully possessing or accepting Child Pornography. In November of last year, McMurphy pleaded guilty to two counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child by Possession of Sexually Exploitative Material.

Matthew Dudley

Finally, 39-year-old Matthew Dudley was sentenced to thirty years in prison after a Microsoft Bing Images CyberTip led investigators to his home last August.

After obtaining search warrants, investigators uncovered approximately 2,000 files of child pornography featuring victims as young as one year old, many of which depicted children being sexually abused, according to court documents.

RELATED: Three men in East Idaho arrested for child exploitation charges

On January 20, 2026, District Judge Jason Walker sentenced Dudley to a term including six fixed years and twenty-four years indeterminate.

For more information on the four additional sentences as part of the Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit’s enforcement efforts, click HERE.

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Maile Sipraseuth

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Development is entering its final stages at the new Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center North Idaho Falls ER, the region’s first free-standing ER. While the ER won’t officially open until early February, Local News 8 had the chance to take a sneak peek inside the facility.

“So the freestanding E.R. is an exciting kind of addition to the Idaho Falls community. It functions as an emergency department. Just like the the main campus does over at our EIRMC, we have the ability to take care of any emergency here,” ER Physician Dr. Brandon Bloxham said.

The idea to build the EIRMC extension was to accommodate the rapid growth of Idaho Falls.

“As everyone’s seen Idaho Falls is growing exponentially right now. And with that, we see an exponential growth in the E.R. visits. So having another facility to help with that is going to be great for the community and great for us as physicians to to be able to serve the community,” Bloxham said.

The extension will provide similar care to the main EIRMC campus, equipped with 11 private exam rooms, a lab, X-ray and CT imaging and more. If any services need to be provided at the main campus, the hospital will take care of the transition.

“EIRMC North Idaho Falls ER will provide high-quality emergency care for members of our community and region. We believe it will be a more convenient option for many people, saving significant travel time when seeking care,” Betsy Hunsicker, the CEO of EIRMC, said in a July press release. “Patients can expect the same level of superior care as if they came directly to the ER on EIRMC’s campus.”

EIRMC will host an open house for the public at the North Idaho Falls facility on Tuesday, January 27, from 10 AM to Noon.

This is a developing story. Local News 8 will provide continuous updates throughout the day.

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News Release

The following is a news release from the College of Eastern Idaho:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — The College of Eastern Idaho (CEI) is proud to announce that two student members of its campus Student Nurses Association (SNA) chapter, Karina Silva and Isabella Cantu, have been elected to serve as President and Vice President, respectively, of the Idaho Student Nurses Association (ISNA), a statewide chapter of the National Student Nurses’ Association that empowers student nurses through leadership, education, and advocacy.

Both Silva and Cantu are currently in the final semester of CEI’s full-time Registered Nursing (RN) program, preparing to graduate and enter the healthcare workforce. Their new leadership roles within ISNA mark a significant achievement, not only for the students, but also for CEI’s growing nursing program.

“Being elected to this role is a significant milestone in my journey as a nurse and a Latina mother,” said Silva. “It motivates me to continue breaking barriers, serve my community, and inspire others who face similar challenges to pursue their dreams.” Silva says she’s especially excited to deepen her knowledge of leadership, policy, and advocacy in nursing.

For Cantu, ISNA has become a space for discovery and confidence. “Being part of ISNA has helped me grow by showing me the many opportunities available in nursing and reminding me that my voice matters,” she said. “It’s encouraged me to advocate not only for myself, but for fellow nursing students and the future of our profession.”

The Idaho Student Nurses Association is the state-level chapter of the National Student Nurses’ Association and serves as a platform for students to gain leadership experience, network with healthcare professionals, and participate in conferences and advocacy efforts.

At CEI, student nurses are encouraged to build leadership and service skills through active participation in the Student Nurses Association (SNA), a campus-based club that regularly engages in service projects including blood drives and professional development activities. SNA fosters a supportive environment for future nurses, promoting collaboration, volunteerism, and peer-to-peer mentorship. Opportunities like ISNA leadership often grow out of students’ involvement in SNA at the college level.

The college plans to continue supporting student involvement in ISNA and similar leadership organizations, which align with CEI’s mission to empower students and meet the region’s healthcare needs.

To learn more about CEI’s nursing programs, www.cei.edu/program/registered-nursing.

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — An Idaho State Police Officer is being honored for a career that defines “going above and beyond.”

On Thursday, February 5, ISP Sergeant Amanda Ward will be recognized with the MVP Award during the 2nd Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Luncheon. Hosted by the Greater Idaho Falls Police Foundation, the event celebrates the efforts of local law enforcement from the Idaho Falls Police Department, the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, and the ISP.

“Ward’s recognition highlights her exceptional commitment to service,” said ISP in a news release. “In addition to her work as a trooper, Ward is an active member of the Honor Guard and serves on the peer support team — roles that extend her impact well beyond traditional enforcement duties.”

The luncheon serves as a bridge between law enforcement and the citizens they protect. Members of the public are invited to attend, with all proceeds supporting ongoing community and law enforcement initiatives led by the Greater Idaho Falls Police.

The luncheon will take place on Thursday, Feb. 5, at noon at Melaleuca Headquarters. For more information, click HERE.

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Seth Ratliff

CHUBBUCK, Idaho (KIFI) — A 37-year-old Idaho woman faces serious felony charges after allegedly stealing an SUV with a sleeping infant inside on Sunday night.

Rikki Johnson was arrested on January 25 by Chubbuck Police and charged with felony grand theft. She also faces charges related to an outstanding misdemeanor drug warrant. Additional charges are currently under review by the Bannock County Prosecutor’s Office.

The investigation began after a silver Kia Sorento was stolen from a Chubbuck residence at about 7:56 P.M. At the time of the theft, a one-year-old infant was asleep in the back seat.

Fortunately, police say a family member quickly found the abandoned SUV on Hiline Road. Chubbuck Police Department confirmed the child was still asleep in the vehicle and was unharmed during the ordeal.

Following a multi-agency search, officers identified and apprehended Johnson. She has been booked into the Bannock County Jail and is set to appear for a video arraignment on the drug charges later today, January 26, 2026.

“It’s important to point out that we’re a relatively safe community, and things like this don’t happen a lot,” said Chubbuck Police Chief Nick Sasser. “I think we can all say we’re glad it ended the way it did.”

Sasser emphasized that while the child was left in the vehicle for only a short period, and the incident occurred at a private residence, not a shopping center, it is still important for one parent to remain with children in a vehicle when possible.

“When you’re talking hypotheticals to people and you’re trying to explain to them that they shouldn’t leave a child in the vehicle, it’s a hypothetical situation, so it’s not real,” he said. “In this case, it was very real to this family.”

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News Team

The following is a news release from the Caribou-Targhee National Forest

ASHTON IDAHO, January 25, 2026 – The Caribou-Targhee National Forest has confirmed a fire in the historic Bear Gulch railroad tunnel, located approximately 0.4 miles from the Bear Gulch parking area along the Railroad Right-of-Way Trail.

The incident remains under investigation, and the cause of the fire has not yet been determined. For public safety, the Forest Service is asking visitors to avoid this section of the trail until further notice.

This incident is not related to the pile burning the Forest conducted Thursday, eight miles northwest of Bear Gulch on Ashton Hill.

Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Forest Service Patrol Captain Rayce Angell at 208-313-5829 or rayce.angell@usda.gov.

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Danielle Mullenix

We are still sitting in the cold front’s pocket from this weekend, but many residents will start to experience a subtle rise in temperatures over the coming days. The cold air boundary that has sat near our region will move towards Montana and Nebraska, allowing high pressure to return and continue the chain of dry weather.

Early morning patchy fog still impacts the early mornings around the region. But as the day begins and the sun rises, no precipitation is in the forecast for Eastern Idaho on Monday morning. There is a slight possibility of snow brushing across Fremont County and Western Wyoming later in the evening, but not much accumulation will arise from this snowfall. Our forecast for the coming days indicates a large dry weather pattern.

Low clouds bringing patchy fog to the valleys and plains continue to pose a slight advisory for the early morning hours. A weak trough on Monday evening will bring clouds and light precipitation to the upper Snake River highlands. Once high pressure begins to reenter our area by the end of the upcoming week, we expect to return to a gradually rising temperature trend.

High temperatures will start to rise back into the lower 40s by the end of the week, offering unusual winter-like numbers. Wind speeds will also remain mild over the coming days, with gusts not exceeding 20 mph.

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Maile Sipraseuth

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)– Nearly 200 people gathered outside the Bonneville County Courthouse on Sunday, Jan. 25th to remember lives lost due to ICE violence.

The event began with speeches, followed by the crowd singing “My Country, ’Tis of Thee.” A moment of silence followed, as attendees stood quietly holding candles near the courthouse steps

The vigil brought together community members from across the area, many braving the cold to stand in solidarity and reflect on the loss. Vigil organizer Chance Marshall said the tragedy resonated deeply with the community.

“We resonate with that here in this local community,” Marshall said. “We see it as a reflection of what could happen in our community.”

While many participants focused on remembrance, some also held signs calling for peace and justice.

“I feel like this country is just slowly turning into a dictatorship,” vigil attendee Roxy said. “Seeing so many innocent people get detained, killed, or abused by ICE is just so inhumane and gross.”

Another attendee, among others, felt touched by the event.

“I kind of got emotional when we sang My Country, ’Tis of Thee, because this is a sweet land of liberty for everyone,” Nelson said. “The Constitution says all men are created equal. That does not mean just legal immigrants, the rule of law applies to everyone and should be followed regardless.”

Attendees all shared a similar connection as to why they came together as candles lined the courthouse steps as flowers were placed in memory of Good and Pretti.

“I’m really hoping that things slowly start turning toward the better, I feel like there’s so much negativity in the world,” Roxy said, “I just really hope everyone can just spread positivity instead of policing every little thing anyone does and being hateful for no reason. Like there’s really no reason, we’re all human. I feel like everyone deserves love.”

“I have a lot of hope for the future,” Nelson said. “That hope comes from my faith in our governmental system — that it will be fixed. Right now, it is not.”

The vigil concluded peacefully as everyone spoke until the sun set. Leaving behind candles and flowers as a symbol of remembrance and unity.

“It’s important to say their names,” Marshall said. “They’re not just strangers who lived in Minnesota. They are community members. They’re family members. They’re neighbors.”

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