Prosecuting Attorney Bonneville County Idaho

05/29/2026

After a five day jury trial, a Bonneville County jury on March 6, 2026, found Xue Fang Lu, 60, of Idaho Falls, guilty of felony Interstate Trafficking of Prostitution and felony Procurement of Prostitution related to an illicit massage business that was operated out of the Fairbridge Inn in Idaho Falls from March until May 2024. Lu was sentenced on May 29, 2026.

The State argued for 18 years in prison with a minimum of 6 years before eligibility to apply for parole. The Defense argued for a rider. Seventh District Judge Brendon Taylor sentenced Lu to a unified sentence of 20 years in prison with a minimum of 5 years which must be served before eligibility to apply for parole.

Bonneville County Prosecuting Attorney Randy Neal represented the State. The Idaho Falls Police Department was the lead law enforcement agency. The Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center provided services to the victim of the trafficking.

"Law enforcement agencies throughout Bonneville County are committed to working together to keep these kind of illegal activities from getting a toehold in our community," Neal said.

05/11/2026

Taylor Alan Aughenbaugh, 20, of Idaho Falls, was sentenced May 11 for Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon related to a shooting which resulted in the injury of two victims at Compass Academy in Idaho Falls in February, 2024.

The State argued for a unified sentence of 25 years in prison, with no eligibility for parole for 5 years. The defense argued for a rider. The Honorable Jason D. Walker, Seventh District Judge, sentenced Aughenbaugh to 25 years in prison, with no eligibility for parole for at least 5 years.

Bonneville County Prosecuting Attorney Randy Neal argued on behalf of the State. The Idaho Falls Police Department was the primary investigating agency.

05/09/2026

Last week nearly all of the Bonneville County prosecutors as well as officers from several local law enforcement agencies attended human trafficking training here in Idaho Falls. At the same time, Bonneville County Prosecuting Attorney Randy Neal was part of a handful of prosecutors from across the nation invited to an advanced training on the prosecution of human trafficking held at the Justice Department in Washington D. C.

This is not a problem in a far off distant place. Currently, we are in the process of identifying multiple individuals and organizations, and as many as 57 victims right here in Bonneville County. Under the leadership of Bonneville County Sheriff Sam Hulse and others, a task force involving local law enforcement, victim advocates, and other interested agencies has been formed. We are fully committed to this complex effort.

To those who would engage in these activities, be forewarned: we will identify you, we will arrest and prosecute you, we will seize your ill-gotten assets and you will go to prison.

Bonneville County is off limits to human trafficking.

If you are a victim or suspect you know a victim of human trafficking, reach out to any law enforcement officer or the Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center (208) 529-4352.

05/06/2026

If you know anything about any of these cases please contact local law enforcement who can get you in touch with the right investigators.

Fort Hall Business Council Chairwoman Donna Thompson statement on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People.

05/01/2026

On April 29, 2026, after a three day trial, a Bonneville County jury found Douglas Dan Gneiting, 48, of Idaho Falls, guilty of one count of felony First Degree Stalking. The jury found Gneiting not guilty on one count of witness intimidation.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 30, 2026, and Gneiting could face one year minimum to five years in prison.

The State was represented in the trial by Bonneville County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Leighton Linning. The Idaho Falls Police Department was the lead investigative agency.

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Ref: Bonneville County Case No. CR10-25-09160

04/21/2026

Never forgotten

Today marks two years since Deputy Tobin Bolter was shot during a routine traffic stop near W. Overland Rd. and S. Raymond St. in Boise on April 20, 2024. He succumbed to his injuries the following morning, April 21, 2024.

In his memory, our deputies will wear mourning bands on their badges today and tomorrow. This black band is a quiet sign of respect for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

This is a heavy week for our agency. We carry Deputy Bolter with us throughout the year, but these days are felt more deeply. Tobin, we will never forget.

04/13/2026

Jose Everado Vidal Leonor, 53, a citizen of Honduras, was sentenced April 13 for Lewd Conduct with a Child Under 16 which occurred in June, 2025, in Idaho Falls.

The State argued for a combined sentence of 25 years in prison, with no eligibility for parole for 8 years. The defense argued for probation. The Honorable Michael J. Whyte, Seventh District Judge, sentenced Vidal Leonor to 26 years in prison, with no eligibility for parole for at least 6 years. Vidal Leonor has a federal immigration detainer which will be served upon any release.

Bonneville County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Steven J. Haderlie argued on behalf of the State. The Idaho Falls Police Department was the primary investigating agency.

04/08/2026

After a two-day jury trial in January, a Bonneville County jury found Christian James Markmiller, 33, of Idaho Falls, guilty of Battery on a Peace Officer (felony) and Resisting/Obstructing a Peace Officer (misdemeanor) for an incident which occurred on West Broadway in Idaho Falls on June 13, 2025. Markmiller was sentenced April 8, for these charges.

The State argued for an underlying prison sentence of 5 years and 5 years of probation. The Defendant requested a withheld judgment, to which the State objected. Seventh District Judge Brendon Taylor sentenced Markmiller to 4 years of probation and a "withheld judgment." In such a case, no underlying sentence is given.

An Idaho Withheld Judgment is a sentencing option where a judge places a defendant on probation without formally entering a judgment of conviction. If probation is successful, the defendant can petition the court to dismiss the case. Only one Withheld Judgment in a lifetime is allowed. The defendant must comply with all probation terms (fines, classes, community service) and violations of the conditions of probation allow the court to revoke the agreement and impose a sentence.

Markmiller was given credit for serving 72 days in jail after his conviction.

Bonneville County Prosecuting Attorney Randy Neal commented, "I am concerned that this sentence does not reflect the type of deterrent necessary to keep officers safe. There has to be a message that assaulting police officers carries with it a significant consequence. Mr. Markmiller continues to show a defiant, contemptuous attitude and a disrespect for the jury's verdict."

Bonneville County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Patsy Tucker argued on behalf of the State. The Idaho Falls Police Department was the lead law enforcement agency.

04/07/2026

Logan Dakota Stephens, 25, of Idaho Falls, was sentenced April 6, for Aggravated Battery with an enhancement for use of a deadly weapon in the commission of the crime, in the shooting of a 35 year old Idaho Falls man which occurred in June, 2024, in the Melaleuca store parking lot in Idaho Falls. The victim survived the shooting.

The State argued for 20 years in prison with a minimum of 5 years before eligibility to apply for parole. The Defense argued for a rider. Seventh District Judge Michael J. Whyte sentenced Stephens to a unified sentence of 20 years in prison with a minimum of 5 years which must be served before eligibility to apply for parole.

Bonneville County Prosecuting Attorney Randy Neal represented the State. The Idaho Falls Police Department was the lead law enforcement agency.

03/07/2026

After a five day jury trial, a Bonneville County jury on March 6, 2026, found Xue Fang Lu, 60, of Idaho Falls, guilty of felony Interstate Trafficking of Prostitution and felony Procurement of Prostitution related to an illicit massage business that was operated out of the Fairbridge Inn in Idaho Falls from March until May 2024.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 13, 2026, and Lu could face up to twenty years in prison on each count.

The State was represented in the trial by Bonneville County Prosecuting Attorney Randy Neal and Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys Moriah Porter and Sean Malone. The Idaho Falls Police Department was the lead investigative agency. The Idaho Office of the Attorney General and Idaho Transportation Department assisted with digital forensics.

The Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center provided services to the victim of the trafficking.

"Law enforcement agencies throughout Bonneville County are committed to working together to keep these kind of illegal activities from getting a toehold in our community," Neal said.

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Ref: Bonneville County Case No. CR10-24-4121