In brief: Elk-baiting earns $9,600 in fines
Three people found guilty of baiting elk in Idaho’s Boundary County were issued fines totaling $9,600 this week.
Following an investigation that started last year, Idaho Fish and Game officers hid in the woods this month on the Bonners Ferry-area property of Richard Raine. The agents were able to photograph Raine’s daughter Barbera Johnson and Robert Johnson, of Sacramento, Calif., putting out feed to lure elk.
According to IFG enforcement officer Greg Johnson, agents later witnessed Barbera Johnson, who did not have a hunting license, kill a 6-by-7 point bull elk.
Back with a search warrant on Dec. 12, the agents discovered a cow elk killed by Robert Johnson. On Monday, he pleaded guilty to killing elk over bait and possessing two illegally killed elk.
Raine was fined $1,000 for his part in processing the illegally killed elk.
Police say man, 44, had child porn
A 44-year-old man was arrested Thursday after police connected him to hundreds of images of child pornography.
Darrel W. Monzingo was taken into custody at his home at 3403 E. Fairview Ave., after detectives served a search warrant there about 9 a.m.
Spokane police Detective Jan Pofacher identified Monzingo as a suspect after Colorado detectives said they’d shared files with a Spokane man, according to a news release.
Investigators found pornographic videos and photos on Monzingo’s computers. His home is about a block from an elementary school.
Now he’s in jail on one count of possession of child pornography. Police say more charges are expected.
Transients suspected in robberies
Two 23-year-old transients were arrested this week on suspicion of a string of armed robberies at local convenience stores.
Sean T. Smith and Vanessa E. Orr were arrested at the Crossland Motel, 12803 E. Sprague Ave., on Wednesday after a SWAT team raid.
Detectives identified the two as suspects through tips and say Orr told them she didn’t know the robber but had “unwittingly became involved.”
Smith reportedly admitted to being in the car used in five robberies, including a holdup Dec. 4 at the Holiday Gas station, 2303 N. Argonne Road.
Police have not identified the man Smith said actually robbed the stores. Smith told detectives he and Orr split proceeds with the man and another individual. Smith said he spent his money on meth, “which he would distribute later to make a profit,” according to a probable cause affidavit
The affidavit does not list other robberies connected to the two.
Orr was released from jail on her own recognizance Thursday after appearing in Superior Court on a conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery charge. Smith remains in jail on a Department of Corrections probation hold.
Silver Valley activist attends D.C. forum
Barbara Miller, an activist from Idaho’s Silver Valley, attended a White House forum Wednesday on President Barack Obama’s Council on Environmental Quality.
Other attendees included Lisa Jackson, administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Lisa Garcia, National Environmental Justice director.
Miller has been active in Superfund issues related to mining pollution in the Coeur d’Alene Basin. She’s the founder of Silver Valley Community Resource Center, which opposes a waste repository at Old Mission Flats near Cataldo, Idaho. Before her trip, Miller said in a news release she looked forward to “bringing the concerns of affected citizens to the attention of the White House and those who will be in attendance.”