Kimball Mason and his cronies almost got away with it

Once the whole story comes out I think you’ll be somewhat eased about your concerns with the initial investigation. I channeled one of my sources that would know the story and found out what happened. I’m not at liberty to tell it right now as they don’t want the whole story out til charges are filed next week. But suffice it to say you’ll be mollified quite a bit when you find out. There were mistakes made by the AG but the mistakes were believing Kimball.

Without a doubt there is going to be a lot of new charges filed next week and when that happens the whole story will come out. There still could be some issues as far determining if anyone else was helping Kimball. There is at least one person who definitely should be charged as it sounds like he was Kimball’s partner in crime. Its a big name and its going to create quite the stir.

Apparently there are some very angry AG people right now. I think Kimball is going to be staying in prison for a long long time. There isn’t going to be any plea bargains this time.

Sorry to be cryptic on this but until charges are filed I’m not sure whats available for the public and whats not and I don’t want to lose my sources. Also, I think at the end of the day you’ll find that you can trust the police and Dane Watkins. They both have been very open and determined to bring this whole thing to the light. Perhaps it may be found that an individual officer or prosecutor (I’m not saying there is so don’t read into this) was involved but if there was it was isolated and not endemic of the either department as a whole.

I have a question if Kimball Mason’s wife is culpable and a potential accessory to his crimes? I find it hard to believe he had so many weapons in his home and she never questioned why he never payed for them?

Suppose even he kept them somewhere in the house that she didn’t know about, if they were removed and then brought back in the last few days, someone in the household knew about it.

Who lives in Kimball Mason’s home or has unfettered access to it? Someone must be an accessory to this crime.

I was also very upset to hear that Kimball Mason had been playing the system for fools all along. But the more I thought about it the better it made me feel that he finally got recognized for what he is, an arrogant, self-important criminal. I hate to think that somebody else’s misfortune would make me feel better but in this case it does. He almost got away with practically coming off as the victim until the new search of his home this past Friday. I do feel sorry for his family and I really would like to think they weren’t involved. I hope not.

By the way, on the website of the Idaho Attorney General’s office it doesn’t have the newest information as of Monday 6/5 at 1:30 pm local time. It still addresses Kimball Mason’s original sentencing from last week. There is a quote from Lawrence Wasden as follows:

“The sentence in this case is, as it should be, harsher than that usually received by offenders with no prior criminal record,” Attorney General Lawrence Wasden said. “It is a just punishment that holds accountable, and imposes serious consequences on, a public official who abused the public trust. It is important that Idahoans have confidence in their government, and, as this case reflects, I am committed to insuring that the citizens of Idaho have government they can trust.”

I wonder how long it will be before they change that. It appeared to me that the AG office dropped the ball in this case but I hope the new information will prove me wrong.

Another thing I am wondering about is why Kimball Mason could do so much business with Ski’s Gun Shop without them having some kind of idea of where he was getting all these guns. And don’t they have some kind of accountability as a gun dealer to do anything about it? And not only Ski’s but some of the other attorneys, police, etc. that Kimball Mason was dealing with. Does anyone else have any thoughts on that?

How Ironic that the man who has spent most of his life prosecuting others to jail or prison time, should now be spending most of the last part of his life being prosecuted and punished.

Mr. Mason was an arrogant and ignorant man. They say give the man a break he made a mistake. Look at all the good things he has done for the city. How about all of the hundreds of lies and law violations, I bet they out weigh the good he has done. Even worse he knows more then the average person that they were illegal actions. He spent his career prosecuting many people who do lots of good for the community, but made one mistake. Did he have sympathy for them because of one mistake? NO, We already know the City of Idaho Falls Police department is corupt because of this. How can we now respect there authority?

Joe V. — you need to relax and learn more about the situation before you start typing away — –all of your misinformed opinions.

Oh, and one last thing — John Stosich once looked down from his high horse at me with discust . Sat in judement of me over something he knoew nothing about. Guess what John … I am kicking back — waiting for the show to begin.

Hey exIFPDcop

Someone sure didn’t look very “smart” did they in that investigation. :))

Idaho prosecutor caught with stolen guns…

While we’re looking at Arbitrary and Capricious: it has a link to interesting events in Idaho Falls. It seems a city prosecutor was caught with a load of guns he stole from the evidence locker. What’s particularly unlucky for him……

I’ll likely have to eat some words about questioning who we can trust after the Kimball Mason scandal fallout, especially regarding Mayor Fuhriman. I know he’s a good guy, it’s just I and many other residents are boggled this episode has dragged out and the truth seems to sputter out. I’m waiting to see the charges brought first (hopefully this coming week).

I can see I wasn’t alone in questioning the depth and breadth of this scandal. Today’s opinion page of the Post Register featured Mary Beckman also questioning who we can trust and how far this scandal will go.

I can’t believe you’re all still buying the city and county’s official position that nobody knew anything and that Chief Livesey is personally responsible for the city’s investigation. Livesey didn’t begin his investigation until after Jimmy Caudle complained that his gun was missing from the property room. Seems his attorney was the only defense attorney willing to fight for his clients rights to retain his gun rather than forfeit it to the city. There have been allegations of sex and money in exchange for dismissals for years. Just so happens that no one in a position of authority wants to go after another in authority for fear the microscope would be turned on them. Believe me, they knew then and they know now. If you are all under the delusion that Kimball was the only corrupt official on our community roster, you’re in for a rude surprise when the iceberg hits. Kimball is only the tip of that iceberg. The best is yet to come if you are all willing to ask the tough questions and listen to answers you may not want to hear.

Jimmie Caudle got arrested because of many things none of which were police harassment as you imply. He was arrested many many times for violating a restraining order between he and his now ex wife, A_______ (leaving out her whole name but putting an initial just to make it clear I know what I’m talking about - if you actually know anything about Jimmie you know who I’m talking about). She was likewise arrested many times for the same thing. He was arrested once when a gun was fired by him during an argument, probably a drug deal, gone bad - and it wasn’t self defense. He was arrested for DUI at least once. He was arrested many times for driving while suspended and he was arrested for evading police. This is all public record if anyone cares to check. The paper makes a big deal about how he was arrested 30 times and only convicted 10 as if that means the other 20 were invalid arrests. Thats not the case. The arrests were valid but many of those 20 were dismissals in regards to the mutual violations of the restraining order that he and his ex-wife were committing. Police HAVE to arrest if there is evidence of a violation, they cannot give warnings on these. But when both parties are mutually violating the order it makes it hard to convince a jury you have a real victim. And when you have two professional victims like Jimmie and A______ its doubly difficult since any jury is going to end up thinking they both are at fault (which they were). Thus many of these charges were dropped or consilidated (i.e. we’ll dismiss three violations of the civil protection order if you plead guilty to one - a common legal practice to save the expense of a trial). Again even though the police knew full and well that both Jimmie and A_____ were equally at fault they are REQUIRED by law to arrest if they can prove a violation even if they know that Jimmie or A______ would turn around a violate it themselves the next time.

And you might wish to check your case history. Jimmie Caudle didn’t start the Mason investigation. As has been reported pretty much by all the media the whole thing blew up over an SUV that Mason took. The issue with Caudle and his gun came up not long after and further blew it up. Caudle just gets all the attention because of his so called starvation protest at the jail. Its funny though that Caudle lost no weight while in jail - can you say lying for attention? He was a closet eater - he pretended to not eat but would binge on many occasions or so those in the jail say.

Inside Observer,

Are you trying to prepare us for other offices of judicial system being involved, more private or prosecuting attorneys, law enforcement or more people in all of those categories? Or, something entirely different.

What I don’t understand at all, and perhaps either you or Chiasm (or someone else) could give me some insight about, is Mayor Fuhriman. My memory may be faulty, but I thought Mayor Fuhriman was often the spokes person for the IFPD. Would it be conceivable that Mason would work with Mayor Fuhriman (prior to him becoming mayor) on any cases to issue press releases, or not? Or, would Officer Fuhriman’s information come from within the IPD and thu comments to the media were made with no interaction with Mason?

And while I’ve read Chiasm’s post about Jimmie Caudle, and it’s clear he and the wife Chiasm wrote about, were having DV issues (and violations), is there some other original crime with Jimmie Caudle that landed his gun into the evidence area? I seemed to have missed that. Can Jimmie Caudle’s attorney be named publically, becaue if I understand both Chiasm and Inside Observer, it sounds like this lawyer wasn’t part of the “club” or didn’t want to play ball with those who routinely did.

How would Mason have accepted $$$$ in a plea bargain? I guess you can tell I’ve had no interaction with criminal and prosecuting attorneys. It may sound like a simple question, but to those of us who don’t know the specifics of how things are done, I don’t understand how $$$ could be given for a plea bargain. Or, is the implication that between the Mason and the defendent’s attorney there was $$$$ as an “arrangement.”

For those who are ordered to pay restitution for their crimes, how do they pay that money (to whome, or how is it collected etc.). It’s my understand those kinds of restitution dollars often go to the Crime Victims Reparations fund. But, I might be wrong.

And I’m curious about one other thing. Given all that has happened with Mason, then the questions about Stosch, which group or groups of the following professionals, do you think is struggling with all this information the most: IFPD, Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, the public defenders, Bonneville County prosecutors or the private practice lawyers-or others that I haven’t named, are the hardest hit by what has been determined about Mason to date? It seemed to me that Mason, through the various stages of his career, has worked with all or most of these sub-groups of law enforcement. Which of the above groups do you think are probably handling all this information the best? I do realize these are your personal opinions and I appreciate you and potentially others, sharing your honest beliefs.

Experts, please help me out with all that I don’t understand. And, unfortunately, I do believe Inside Observer that there is a lot more to come.

As for your question about who has been hit the hardest, I think they’re all carrying a portion of the shame. The prosecutor’s weren’t coordinating their cases with the city (see Jimmie Caudle, his misdemeanor case should have been wrapped up with his felony case), the police department wasn’t following procedure on releasing things from the property room (the city prosecutor would NEVER take things out of the property room except for trial. If a gun was to be traded or destroyed, that transaction would be handled by a member of the police department, not the city prosecutor - EVER!), the public defender’s and defense attorneys are looking bad because they apparently weren’t fighting for their client’s rights (just rolling over when Kimball wanted whatever had been seized, maybe so they could share?), the city mayor and council because they weren’t doing their jobs in overseeing Kimball’s work (ALL public officials are subject to some sort of scrutiny), and on and on.

And finally, we as the public for again, not paying attention. When a defendant is charged with a crime, it’s too easy (convenient?) to say, well, he deserves whatever he gets. But in reality, if we don’t fight for their rights, we’re next in line to lose ours. Soemtime, they are NOT guilty, and sometimes they’re being overcharged to make room for a plea. We just choose not to worry about it until we find ourselves or someone we love in the gun sights of the justice system. And I’m sure the head of every department is wondering about the integrity of everyone underneath him, and those who DID know what was going on and said nothing are surely having some sleepless nights. The comment that there are many good people downtown is correct and that not everyone is corrupt, but if we turn a blind eye to what is happening, aren’t we just as guilty?

No, he is not the same attorney representing the mother. His name did appear in the PR because he is representing a defendant on drug charges in Jefferson County that made front page news for a day or two. Our media is so quick to move in and destroy someone’s reputation but when the facts start rolling in and that person is not what they were made to appear, the media is nowhere to be found. I think Rush calls that drive-by media, doesn’t he? I heard a rumor that Kelly Mallard lost his contract with the county to do the conflict public defender’s cases. Does anyone know anything about that?

Of course you are right. Kimball Mason (and you) are the only normal ones. The rest of us are all crazy.

Well, if that really was Todd Ericsson commenting above, did you ever report back on that serial number of the gun you bought from Kimball Mason that you gave to your son? http://www.kpvi.com/mason/document041.pdf

Otherwise, the other comments are on target. He admitted his guilt, said nobody else was involved, then other guns that he swore were destroyed were found IN HIS HOME, one even with the evidence tape still on it.

And your last comment is edited, I would hope you could communicate with others without reverting to sounding like an old drunk in a bar.

Ummm: “Mr. Ericsson … all he tried to do was protect his friend and you went after him like hungry dogs.”

Ever hear those in glass houses shouldn’t throw rocks?

I linked to the record that he had one of the stolen weapons. The last reported was he would look into returning it. Is Todd Ericsson still holding onto stolen property? The city of Idaho Falls would like it back.

I also had to edit Mr. Ericsson’s comment because it was below adult discussion standards.

“…you went after him like hungry dogs.” He wrote an out of line rude comment and won’t acknowledge what he did with one of the stolen weapons he has in his possession.

No, we didn’t go after him like hungry dogs, but we ought to.

I’ll have to admit you were right (and wrong I guess) on that.

You know, I’d have to say Derek Tingey should get a harsher sentence because stealing from a school district is like stealing from a charity.

You have to wonder how a poor school district could not notice $600k missing, though? How long a period were his crimes spread over? Schools are so strapped, how could they not notice the missing money?

What does that say about their controls, their district administration?

That’s a great point, did he just slip into the judges’ offices to use the signature stamps or did he have his own versions?

Trusting or just stupid?
Obviously John Stosich really thinks he could be appointed, that alone is something to be very concerned with

Sorry, I don’t take the paper or get to read the news regularly. What’s up with the Stosich-judge thing? You can’t be serious intimating that he’s looking for a judgeship while being implicated in the KM thing. From what I’ve heard, i.e. shuffling stolen weapons (ok ALLEGEDLY shuffling & and proven stolen) back & and forth between his house & Mason’s, how could this happen? I’m incredulous. If this is true, I will say again that we need to point a longer finger at our current judges, their clerks, and the whole process whereby our judges are selected, as well as how justice has been done in the last few years that Mason has been doing his thing. Something here still doesn’t smell right.

The mayor of ST Anthony hired a police chief from out of state. His reasoning was to many times the police would let someone get out of a speeding ticket, or a DWI charge because they were his neighbor/cousin/friend ect. He thought bringing in new people would stop the “good old boy” behavior. He was rewarded with an attempted recall.

Its to bad the state prosecutor had to come in to Idaho falls to set things right re Kimball.

Oh Todd — one more thing — Kiball was my friend too — and I support him as a person, but hey — he did screw up x 2 and he needs to pay the price. And it sounds now as though he is. I am sorry for he and his family… but he shouldn’t have done the crime — if he couldn’t do the time….

Ok,Chiasm, but that still doesn’t clear Todd’s name from potential charges of hiding stolen guns. The facts remain that he has been questioned and possibly lied, and/or attempted to hide these stolen weapons from the investigation into misconduct. If he’s been gone that long, then how did the AG’s man question him? Maybe he took off & got out of here while the getting was good. If so, then “HE’LL BE BAACK”…. LMAO !!!!

Chiasm — I know those guys over sees get on the Internet all the time. I chat real time with a few of them — and have told them about this site –I agree though — it didn’t sound like Todd. The vulgar outblast wasn’t his style. I would say it was a young family member or close friend…. could have been Todd from over sees though

Did Kimballs’ cronies get away? Take a look at this excerpt from the PR.

“Weapon: Ruger .44-caliber Super Black Hawk revolver, Serial #8396406

Who had it: Frank Sparkman, who stored it in a post office box in Idaho Falls. Sparkman was interviewed by police at the post office and was according to reports, displaying delusional behavior. The gun and a box of ammunition were taken as evidence. IFPD records indicated that they were released to Mason.

Who got it: Mason gave it to Stephen Blaser, a Blackfoot lawyer who represented Sparkman. Blaser turned it over to investigators in January.”

Why is this important? Because I was working at teh PD when all this was goingon and I remember dealing with Sparkman on sevral occasions. I know for a fact the Sparkman made numerous attempts to file a report with the IFPD about Mason stealing his gun. I know for a fact that all of the upper ups knew about it. The story was legend at the department because Sparkman told everyone he could, including the apst and present mayors, and the county prosecutor. But the department gaffed him off time and again. As time went by Sparkman began to hate the cops more and more. Whenever I dealt with him, I got along fine with him because I told him I believed him. Why? Because severel officers told me they knew Kimball had Sparkman’s gun. Were they telling the truth? I didn’t know then, but I sure know now.

In my opinion it took some big balls and little brains to give that gun to Sparkman’s lawyer. It is also insultive to Sparkman. My concern is that a backroom deal was struck between lawyers and a mentally ill person was taken advantage of. The PD wanted Sparkamn off the streets, no question about it. Especially with Kimball pushing the issue becasue Sparkman lived just one block away from him, and Kimball was hearing about in church.

But the big question now falls back to the PD and Livsey, when they say they only knew about Kimball’s thefts after the suburban incident. No they didn’t they knew long before that. But during those days you couldn’t walk by a Captian’s door, or the chief’s office and not see Mason in one of those areas joking and carrying on. By the way, if he wasn’t in one of those offices, he was downstairs working out with………

Todd Ericsson.

I can say that we tried to have Kimball sanctioned by the Idaho Bar Association and they discouraged us from following up on our allegations. I contacted them on several other instances to inquire about our complaint and they never responded. My guess is that they knew about the problems but were never going to investigate, probably because of ‘good ole boy’ politics. We also contacted the mayor’s office regarding Kimball’s behaviour and received the same type of response. None of these people can say they were unaware of Kimball’s action without perjuring themselves. I hope they all stand trail for being complicant in these crimes.

Hi Paula,
I should have copies of all my correspondances with the various agencies. My complaints pertained to the outcome of my brother’s case, who was killed by a truck driver that was never charged with any crime despite breaking several laws. Does Mike Dillon work for the AG’s office? They too should have my contact information as I sent them numerous letters complaining about Kimball Mason. I would be more than happy to speak with them if asked.

Well, if Comment #28 really was from Todd Ericcson, it was quite an interesting turn of events for him to get charged for lying about some of Kimball’s guns.

Anonymous, what are you taking about, do you not think Mason got what he deserved? the sad part here is that nothing is going to happen to Stosich cause he cried all over himself.

I’ve never heard of Mason being involved with drugs and I have never heard of L.Kermit, did he work with Mason? Please explain.

I don’t think the AG is done yet and I believe more is yet to come. I do NOT think Stosich will be charged. There will be other areas of lawsuits and investigations that do not include the Mason issue that will help disclose some of the conduct of the prosecutors who believe they are above the law and exempt from its provisions. Just stay tuned.

OK Just Me…Want a fact. Holding the name; a Lieutenant with the IF Police Dept. committed a felony, (wire fraud) and he was excused!

It’s funny that drugs should be mentioned. (comment 61) There are some really interesting stories involving Mason’s partner in crime Todd E.

I wonder if they’ll ever see the light of day?

I have a little story about something that happened to me years ago, which now ties in nicely with the Kimball Mason – Todd Ericcson debacle. People may or may not find this to be interesting, but I believe that it is. Back about 18 years ago I was a Police Officer on the Idaho Falls Police Department. I got home one morning after working all night, and just as I was getting into bed I received a call from a local FBI Agent. He identified himself, and I knew him. I didn’t know him well, but I knew who he was. He said that he needed to speak with me about something. Thinking that this was in regards to me being a reference for someone’s security clearance I casually said “no problem, I am going to bed now, but will be getting up around 4.” He said “no – you don’t understand. I need to see you NOW.” This sort of freaked me out and I asked “am I in some kind of trouble or something?” He said “you might be.” I threw on my clothes and drove immediately to his office, which in those days was located near Lomax and Yellowstone. I walked in and sat down, wondering what in the world could be happening. This FBI Agent threw a paper and an envelope onto the table in front of me. He said “does this look familiar?” I looked the letter over and had never seen it before in my life. It was a letter that someone had written anonymously to the FBI Office – sent to the FBI office in Montana, if I remember correctly. The letter was obviously written by a cop – by the words used and the content of the letter itself. The letter described then Idaho Falls Police Detective Todd Ericcson and it alleged some very unethical, improper and illegal activities on his part. As I read the letter, I remember thinking that this was obviously someone who had worked closely with Todd, and apparently had seen these things happen first hand. The letter described illegal searches, and some other improper investigative techniques that were illegal. It described actual crimes that were committed. Since these were crimes allegedly committed by a Police Officer against citizens, the FBI had a duty to Investigate because these were potentially Civil Rights violations – and therefore had Federal Jurisdiction. I read the letter and put it back on the table and said “so?” The FBI Agent told me that I had written the letter to defame Todd’s character, and that I was in some big trouble. I explained to this FBI Agent that personally I had heard rumors of many of the things in the letter – but that I never seen any of it first hand. I also said that if I had seen any of it first hand I would have written the letter myself – and signed my damn name to it. I told him that though I personally believed that everything in the letter was likely true, I had no first hand knowledge – and therefore was NOT in a position to write such a latter to the FBI. This Agent continued to push me for a “confession.” I could not believe how hard he was working to discover who wrote this letter against his Lil’ Buddy Todd. I told him that from an investigative standpoint it was ridiculous to devote FBI time and resources to discovering who wrote the letter in such a accusatory way. I recommended that it might be better if he used an equal amount of time and energy investigating the allegations, to see if perhaps they were true. It was just very sad that this FBI idiot didn’t care at all about the alleged violations of law. All he wanted to know was “who wrote the letter against his friend?” Now, many years later this interesting but not entirely surprising turn of events has taken place. Obviously Mr. Ericcson is innocent until proven guilty, and I certainly wish him all the best. But if he is found guilty of this crime, there was a very interesting precursor many years ago that indicated there was a problem. I also think that it is funny now to hear Chief Livsey talk about Todd and the “slap in the face” he has given the Department and all of the Officers. The truth is that Todd was always treated like the Golden Boy before Livsey arrived, and if my memory serves me correctly – even after. He had some friends in high places on the Department, and always seemed to me to be receiving special treatment. When he left the Department I remember thinking “wow – that’s a civil law suit that the city just dodged.” The fact is that the 2nd time that Todd was hired (rehired) on the Police Department it was about 1997 or 98. Livsey was there. Livsey would have likely been involved in that rehiring process in some way, and even if he was not personally involved, he is responsible for it because he was the Chief of Police. Now given some of the things that Todd was allegedly involved in – and given the questionable nature of his character and previous work history on the Department – why in the world would the Chief allow him to return to the Department? Frankly I was floored when I heard they had hired him back. It’s funny now, to read the Chiefs words in the news: “I didn’t trust him.” Well then why did you rehire him? And the Captains knew or should have known what a liability Todd was going to be. Most everyone else did. It’s a little club down there. As long as you belong to the right “group of friends” – life is good. And the “slap in the face” the city police received? That happened the day they hired Todd back. So this slap in the face wasn’t just Todd’s fault – was it Chief?

I spoke to Livsey when he was going to re-hire Todd, and told him it was a bad move. He then told me he had polled the various supervisors and the vote was 50-50 to rehire him. I told him Todd’s reputation, and Livsey blew me off. I told Livsey he was making a mistake, and I was so sure of it, I had been willing to face Livsey face to face over this re-hiring.

Did Stosich know? Good question. As soon as I heard that Kimball was in trouble I knew immediately that Todd was likely in the mix somewhere. They were best of friends. And right there with Kimball — everywhere he went… you guessed it. I can say that the investigation that the State is doing is a good one. The “ship is going down” — so now it will be every man for himself. All the rats will turn on each other to save their own skin, so if he was involved — it will come out. Thanks for the input FormerPD. Pretty sad when a Chief has such a bad feeling that he has to “poll the Officers” and then goes ahead and hires when its 50-50. Now he has the nerve to say he went to the Investigators because he didn’t trust him. He (Livsey) put a damn badge and a gun on him — when he didn’t trust him. He deserves this slap in the face — though the good decent cops do not.

I’ve heard rumours that there are a lot of people who in the 80’s were in the police, courts, and local law offices that are grateful a certain person is now deceased. Mason has apparently named him as an accomplice who was widely involved in shady dealings back when Mason first came on the scene. I’m withholding the name so as not to disparage the dead on what may just be rumours.

The info I have heard follows:

I have spoken to a few officers that worked narcotics when Todd did and it was widely assumed that he might have not have been on the up and up. When the IFPD was left out of multi-agency drug investigations, there was a higher rate of success on drug warrants. At first, Todd’s partner was let in on the info, but when the higher ups at IFPD learned about it, they ordered Todd’s partner to keep Todd in the loop. Needless to say, the partner had to be excluded from any further multi-agency investigations. That info came to me from what I consider to be an unimpeachable source, and I believe it.

I know others in the department were aware of the rumors as well.

Just watched the news, excellent question, why IS Ericsson the only one being charged. Stosich would have never contacted the police about the guns he had, he had to have know they were stolen what a weasel…. and what about all the others. I for one plan to make as large a stink about this as I can. I’m not condoning Ericsson but sounds to be like he is the only one who was a true friend, ethics not law here.

This post is really full of very good information that the “average” citizen in IF, not related to the Police Department would not know, but can glean if they read this all carefully. This “favored circle” that was mentioned above is the key. Todd was part of that circle. One post above mentioned that as Livsey “polled the supervisors” they were split, 50-50. I can tell you that the 50% that for FOR rehiring Todd were those in that circle. The other 50% — for the most part were not. That “favored circle” has mistreated officers that were not a part of it for years. They have also done whatever they could do — whenever they could do it to protect those that are a part of that circle. I have seen it myself. Add to this the fact that a Captains position on that Department is really just early retirement with a paycheck, and you begin to see how this could have happend in the first place. The Captains make quite a decent paycheck, and really do nothing at all. They have been around since shortly after Jesus walked the earth, and why should they leave when all they have to do is show up — sit there and collect a check. It takes 16 men and a shotgun to get a Captain to retire — and there isn’t one of therm down there that is worth their weight in cow dung. Raed Roger Smarts interview with States Investigators that was on the States AG’s website. I will post a link if needed. If you read this interview you can see how disconnected these people are. They don’t know whats happening — and they don’t care. As long as they can pass the tourch when they leave, to one of their own, they are happy. So — poor leadership, complacency and the lil’ Buddy Club is what let this happen. Do you think that maybe the Captain over the evidence room might have been able to come up with some good ideas like maybe tight controls and regular audits if he had been paying attention to his job? Do you think that maybe Chief L should have listened to his people and realized that if 50% believe the guy is a problem — MAYBE he should not take a chance. Do you think that maybe if Kimball Mason was not loosely associated with this Favored Circle maybe someone would have questioned him? It time for Livsey to pack up his things. But then watch closely as the Mayor appoints Mark McBride as the new Chief — and the circle continues…

Stocish did know the guns were stolen, he even said in an interview, that he asked Mason if they were.
We see the favoritism, again, and again, and now with Ericsson. I bet he didn’t post bail either, and it is another offence to have moved those firearms over state lines.
I stated above, and here is his name; Dennis Tremayne, he commit a felony, wire fraud, and was excused.
Here is what will work for Stosich, he is using the Religious Card. Works here every time, watch.

but I have to support you with the “religeous card” bit in most cases. It can’t help in all cases — but they use it every time, and if there has not been so much damage that it CAN”T be covered up, it works. I saw a ton of temple recommends come out of wallets as drivers licenses in my many years making traffic stops. I don’t mean to be disrespectful — but it is what it is. Just trying to call a fair game.

Besides Livsey has no real love for Tremayne. Sure Capt Smart is Tremayne’s benefactor which should give him carte blanch, just as it did for Todd, but Tremayne has gone to bat for the line officers in the past and he has basically washed his hands of Livsey’s circus show.

The religion card does get played, especially by Capt. McBride. Livsey just keeps his back turned to it on purpose. He knows the predominant religion around here and does not want to step in it with them.

the reason the religion card comes into play with Tremayne is because he tends to have a lot of habits frowned upon by that religion.

Funny how just about every officer ever known for standing up to Livsey in one way or another, has left the department either through retirement or moving on to other agencies or careers. In most cases they just got so feed up with the B.S. that they decided it just wasn’t worth it to stay on board as the ship began to flounder on the shoals. I know some of them are posting here, and I think that’s good. They at least can give a different view of things than what the “official” versions are.

I think that the bigger picture is starting to come through. I trust Livsey about as much as the rest of the “brass” around that place — and that ain’t much. They need to get rid of everyone above the level of Captain, and whatever you do — DON”T LET THE MAYOR APPOINT MCBRIDE AS CHIEF! Its already been discussed in dark places, and it will be the biggest step possible toward continuing this little buddy system that is so full of complacency, cover up and outright disrespect to good officers who deserve better than the way they are treated — only because they are not in the little “click.” If I was the mayor, the next Chief would be Steve Roos. He is a good man. He is LDS, but thats not the issue. Religeon shouldn’t play a part in any of this. He is the best man down there for the job. He is respectful, fair, honest and has my deepest respect. I’m telling you — that Department would trun around if he was the Chief. And while we are at it — Make Pratt the Det. Captain.

Approximately how many cops do get along with Livsey and how many don’t? I wouldn’t think religion plays a part with him.

Nice to see this thread light up again! I have to take exception to the quoted comment by Joe Vandal(Post #88) that we can trust Livesey because he started the investigation on Mason. How long are we going to let him get away with the BIG LIE? Jimmie Caudle bellowed in the ear of anyone within earshot, including Livesey and Watkins, that KM had stolen his guns, but both FLATLY refused to do squat about it. Caudle’s guns went missing in 2003. How many people have suffered the loss of the rights, how many cases were handled inappropriately, since that time because these two did not initiate an investigation. Livesey CANNOT be trusted for the very reason that he has told the BIG LIE “I started the investigation (after the suburban in 2005″ and folks like Speakout pick up his banner and carry it forward, refusing to look at the FACTS (all included in the AG’s report) that Livesey and Watkins were completely, totally and absolutely aware of what KM was doing - at least as far as taking property out of the property room - and DID NOTHING!!!!!!!
As for Post #80 that the responsibility for this lies with Livesey, well I would partly agree with that, but I am one of those who believes that a large share of the responsibility for the KM mess lies with Dale Storer, the city attorney. It was his responsibility to make sure that all contracts for the city were properly drafted (KM never even had a contract) and to oversee that department. He did neither. Now, while the city is reeling under this disaster, Storer waltzes into a city council meeting and gets himself approved for another year as city attorney - AND HE HAS NO CONTRACT just like KM. If Storer had done his job properly, this would never have happened - any of it. Period.
So who are we protecting exactly? Storer for sure, Livesey obviously, Stosich without a doubt. Anyone else? What have they got that the rest of us don’t that entitles them to live above the law?

Guest (91), it’s not an issue of who does and does not get along with Livsey. You either plant your facial flappers on his posterior or you don’t. And if you don’t, you keep your head down at all times.

Livsey lets the religious idiots run amuck. Why? Because, in an LDS town, you don’t rock the boat of your LDS associated wrecking crew. It’s political suicide. as long as you aren’t directly implicated, and claim a complete lack of knowledge about what is going on, you keep your job. That’s what cowards and two faced politicians do all the time.

I know an officer who once told Ida Hardcastle about the religious problems at the PD. She decided to prove him wrong by asking another officer (an LDS officer) if those accusations were true. Unfortunately for her, he told her they were. She then called Livsey who assured her the PD did not have a problem with religious discrimination. case closed for Ida, as soon as she got the answer she was looking for. And case closed for Livsey because he protected the religion.

I once heard Livsey say Mark McBride was the most amoral man he had ever met, yet capt. McBride is allowed to head up the meat and potatoes division of the pd without any over site. It is that
exact lack over site on Livsey’s part that has played a role in all of this mess with Kimball and Todd. Two people by the way who both display arrogance towards non-LDS individuals in this community.

I wish it weren’t true but it is. It started along time ago, when lowly patrol officers began buy B.Y.U. football tickets for their supervisors, and then suddenly rose in rank faster than any other officers in the history of the PD. It started back when several officers were overheard in the locker room discussing who they were going to get rid of a certain new-hire, because he did not fit the mold of what a good mormon cop should be. The list goes on and on.

what’s even worse is that the LDS wrecking crew is actually a minority when it comes to the actual number of the officers involved, but they account for a large majority of the supervisors, or specially assigned personnel. You don’t need numbers, just the right people in the right place, with a few spies thrown in for good fun.

Insideobserver,

I think I get the gist of your post. I reposted Joe’s original comment, not to critic him, but to show how our perceptions can change from what was initially thought to be the truth and what they are now. With so many comments posted since the beginning, I think a clearer picture of the problems associated with all of this are coming to light. And it is not the bed of roses Livsey attempted make for himself.

You are right that Storer has a lot to answer for, but Livsey was in charge of the evidence room. His lack of knowledge of what was going on under his nose fits the pattern of everything else he claims a lack of knowledge for. Unfortunately in this case, ignorance is not bliss. In this case it is criminal negligence. It is also unbecoming of the type of professional behavior and service we expect from the man who runs a department with so much riding on its’ reputation.

Ok so Caudle started things and Livsey took credit, who started the second investigation and is Livsey taking credit for that? Is the “TIP” real? If so who is the “tip”?

I would like to know if Mason’s house was searched during the first investigation? If not, why not? Pardon my conspiracy here, but was he set up for round number two? Not that I care as far as he goes, but I would care as far as the integrity of the PD is concerned.

I also have to wonder why the department finally did initiate something? If Caudle and Frank Sparkman couldn’t get them off their asses, who did? And please don’t mention Roger Smart. the man is an insult to his own name. Unless, Smart got pissed at Kimball for some insult, made sure his own ass was covered, and then threw Kimball to the dogs. It’s just an idea, but it fits the character as far as I’m concerned.

and just in case anyone in police adminsitration reads this post: My name is Jamaul and I live in Queens.

#103 tops it all. Good night, good luck.
Signed,
Jamaul’s brother in SoHo

Thanks OK4now

You can find the Interviews of Todd, Kimbal, Roger Smart, Livsey and all of the others there.

Another quote from the interview of your Detective Captain:

Roger Smart: “No, I have, I haven’t seen any, in fact that’s one of the reasons why I went to the Chief. It was like this has been sitting here, it’s one of those things that you want to slap yourself over cause you didn’t get on it but I just kind of run into it on the back side of the pile. But…I, and it was more like curiosity as people have to, they, I thought maybe he had just give up on it because he never come back and ask me, what about it.”

FeelinLucky,

You are welcome. I appreciate what good peope do, regardless of religion and especially when the headquarters of an organization (such as a business of PD) are less than supportive of their employees. There is enough tough stuff to deal with on the streets and in court, for officers.

Is there a public appreciation day for peace officers? If not, maybe we should try to get one proclaimed.

If I didn’t totally believe what you have posted, I would say you are funny, funny, funny - like your post above. The problem is, I have read a lot of the AG’s transcript and I once again know you are telling the truth.

You may be a really funny person, but the information you quote is fact. And I find that FACT to be SAD.

Hey, do you think there will be a new AG’s public report on TE?

THANKS AGAIN for the info. and your service.

After reading all these insults to Chief Livsey I have to add a comment, we just may be hearing from past (before Livsey) Golden Boys, its hard to tell how many but very most I’m guessing around 8 Max. Does anyone realize Livsey is the ONLY city leader, council person, judge, prosecutor, etc., etc., who has had the guts to talk publicly about all this, I don’t think it matters what he says it will be twisted in order to fit a bad guy image. I know nothing about him but if you continue none of the others mentioned about will speak, I think IFZ won a little prestige today, good for you. I also think its great to get your frustrations out. But I have to wonder its this sour grapes???

Speakout, my hat is off to you. Well said. I was hired my Chief Pollock (sp) and worked for Capt Montague as well. I worked through Monty’s time as Chief, and I too pinned many hopes for change on Livsey. It only got worse. At least with Bob and Monty you knew where you stood. They were very good and decent men. They were behind you — even if you were wrong they did what they had to do only with some respect and sincerity. You speak the truth, and you are so right on. Funny. No one on here offerring up others versions of these people. Sometimes, when people don’t want to listen, they call it “sour grapes” and go to another, more friendly post. But this is an issue in this city. and people should pay attention to it. You and I and others didn’t start talking until people started asking questions — like how did this happen? We are just trying to help provide some answers.

Speakout
Thanks for clarifying, it was well said.
I promise I’m not trying to offend and I have tons of respect for you guys, though I wish you would smile more. I want the truth as much as you concerning all this, we all should. I think I’m missing something here and I do have two questions regarding your post.
#1 When and by who was Livsey commended for bringing this to light and
#2 who were the “two different citizens” that were brushed off.

By the way, what ever happened to Chiasm

I have always prayed for the day that outside influence would straighten up this podunk town. I have lived here since the early seventy’s.
I feel in my heart of hearts that this Mason saga will not effect the overall governmental/political issues that have plagued this town, and many alike surround us.
I bet the worst will never be heard unless a Grand Jury investigates. Will not happen. We need to remove some of the current Magistrate Judges, and some of the current Prosecuting Attorneys.
You know how horrible it is for some of these judges to get chummy with some of the prosecutors. We need to clean-up law enforcement, this is beginning to be a police state. This community has far to many law enforcement officers, and they need to be trained in, DISCRESSION. The courts are full of biogas citations and charges. Now comes the prosecution, Larren Covert for example: I’m aware of a gentleman who has been persecuted by this man for almost a year. First he was charged for a misdemeanor, and after 9 months Covert didn’t have a case, and he threatened the plaintiff to plea or he would amend the charge to a felony. Well if you’ve ever heard of prosecutorial misconduct and/or malicious prosecution here it is. Charged “felony”. I also had written #58 para(2). Larren has been practicing for just barely 1 year, who in the hell is his boss!! It is certain Laren has no intent on proceeding to a fully jury trial, and the damage is done anyway. Can you get a job with a felony charge? What other privileges has he lost? Check out case #Bonn. Co CR-06-1053 it will make you cringe.

I enjoyed post 122. You are correct — there are some wonderful and talented guys below the rank of Cpt. Cawley, Cook, Roos and Hunt are all great people. The city should be proud to have guys like that. I have not said a bad word about them. My concern is with the Captains and Chief — and my fear is that those few good leaders will be held back so that the Ken Browns of the Department (little Roger Smarts) can flurish. So there IS hope. I’m telling you. Mayor — just don’t put McBride in as Chief. That will carry this cycle on for another 15 years. And to Roos, Hunt, Cawley Pratt, Tremayne. I miss you guys!

what do you mean by case numbers?

I’m not sure what Barneydog means by case numbers, but here is my guess. I think he/she is referring to Post #123 and the words, ” #Bonn. Co CR-06-1053″. We may not know the correct terms, but where could a regular, non-city employee, who is also not a member of the legal profession, find info about that case?

Yes, you’re correct on all counts. Thank you. I was hoping there was somewhere to read the details of these cases online, but probably not. I’m not sure which thread it was in, but there was a mention of KM and his dealings with Weimer Heating that I was intrigued by, also. Anyone in the know care to elaborate on that one?

You need to read todays post register. Ericsson is just a nut case.

I hope you IFPD outsiders are taking this thread with a grain of salt! There seems to be several ex-officers posting and spewing their sour grapes. Speakout, you seem to have a lot to say, but I suggest you tell the truth. You lost all credibility with me when you brought up the 20 year old BYU ticket lie and the “religious” BS. The good officer you malign by regergitating the BYU ticket lie, bought two tickets for him and his wife from a Captain whose son was attending BYU and reselling tickets for a profit. Several other officers including some brass also bought tickets from the Captain. Since the tickets were purchased in a block, the seats were naturally close together. You either intentionally repeat an old lie for your own benifit or were so out of touch to know the truth, anyway everyone knows the truth now. Your praise of Pratt is nearly sickening. He has developed in a fine detective but it wasn’t always that way. Maybe all your spare time spent throwing back cold ones on the old boat has clouded your perspective. I wish all you old ex-cops would stop venting your old gripes and thowing mud on the current good officers who work hard to make this city safe. How about some positives from you about the department.

Hec, I will even start… I have something nice to say about Livsey. I truely believe that he is a very honorable man. Or tires to be. I do not believe for a second that he was involved in anything illegal — with or without Todd. I believe that the $800 must have been somthing that Todd was going to lose for some reason, if he did not take tat new job, and that because Livsey agreed to let Todd go on a leave of abscence, and later changed his mind because he realized that if he let Todd do it — he had to be fair and let everyone do it if they wanted to. So to make things “right,” he paid Todd the money that would be lost if Todd did not follow through with the new job. If I am right, and I bet that I am, this is evidence of the mans honer, and if Todd took the other job (which he did) — he should have paid the money back which I don’t imagine he did — which would be more evidence of Todd’s all around sleaziness — which no one on here seems to dispute. The Chief is basically a decent guy. His problem is that he just always turns a blind eye when his little Captains decide to screw someone — and is therfore guilty by association. After all, he IS the Chief. I said in an earlier comment that he should be suspebded WITH pay pending an investigation into this $800 thing because that should be done anytime a policeman is accused of wrongdoing — and a piece of physical evidence has been produced that could substantiate the accusation. Thats just common sense. Another nice thing I have to say. Captain Bruce Jones — though not exactly Genarl Patton when it comes to the strength of his leadership — is a very nice man, who does try to be fair with everyone. That does it for me. No other nice things to say about these people here. Anyone else?

Enough said!!!
I’ve kept anonymous and I hope you will respect that, I have no doubt you can squirm around and find out who I am, please just let the reason I want to do this be enough.
On June 1st I spoke with Chief Livsey concerning guns being moved, he was kind, professional and extremely supportive. Most importantly he was in action before I left his office. There isn’t a doubt in my mind he was talking to the AG’s office within seconds. Regarding posts concerning his taking credit, at a private luncheon he very honorably gave credit to myself and yes Jimmie Caudle. Wish you could have been there, but I’m glad you weren’t.
I understand he’s your boss but from this citizens eyes he is a hero.

FeelinLucky
OK you got me on my first line that did sound arrogant, paranoid I guess.
I thought the thread was to say something nice about Livsey, so I did. Were cops only allowed to respond? I thought this was an open forum, or was I only permitted to say something bad?
I actually have a lot of heroes, some for a moment and some for a lifetime, sorry not a single one was shot. You sound like only cops can be heroes and you’re probably a hero to someone out there, wouldn’t it be nice if they come out and said it. Hero is a big word I agree but it’s also personal.
I did not say the case was discussed now you’re just looking for something you won’t find, a simple thank you was given and my point was given in my last post. Let me rephrase, in my experience Livsey has NOT taken credit for busting Kimball Mason.
Geez……relax.

Me,
I’m glad you turned kimball in. But Livesy has not given Caudle any credit publicly, and he shouldn’t. Caudle is a two-bit criminal who did this for his own reasons, not for the benefit of the public. Don’t get me wrong, Caudle had every right to complain. I think the bigger issue is that some people, like Caudle did complain and nothing was done about it. Then when it comes to light, Livesy jumps up and tries to put the shine on himself.

No one is going to hunt you down for doing the right thing. If anyone does, it would be the friends of Kimball Mason and/or Todd Ericcson, and others to maybe be named later. Not the people posting here.

I think alot of what is being said here is centering around the fact that things are going on at the IFPD that are causing many problems. One of those is Livsey’s apparent inability to keep track of the many issues that are going on. That includes the problems with Kimball. There were/are laws in place that would have (should have) sent up red flags sooner if they had been followed. An example is when Kimball signed his own name on a few of the documents instead of a judge. According to Idaho law, that was not a valid release. If the officer in the evidence room had known that, maybe Kimball would have been caught sooner, and IFPD could claim credit for catching it.

I have been reading the 1500 pages of files, and one other thing bothered me. Why would a Sgt simply hand Kimball the keys to a truck without any paperwork what so ever? Again, another training issue, or buddy-buddy politics?

It seems that many officers posting here are expressing sheer exasperation over what has happened. And I have noticed that the same names come up over and over again. Not just names of the scondrals, but the good guys too. It appears that Jeff Pratt has the praise of all, except IFguyforlife. Maybe we should have the city hire him (Pratt)as the official investigator for all IF dealings. Police related, Dale Storer related, all city related. Make it an officail office that reports directly to the mayor with full powers to investigate any and all city affairs.

[Comment edited by Site Admin for rude remarks that amounted to name calling, without discussion value.]

ifguyforlife,
——– —- —. IFPD “outsiders”? Is that really your perception of the public? Kind of an “us vs them” thing? Or is your click verses everyone else? You are exactly what is wrong with IFPD.

Thanks for jumping at the bait. Only a select few would have jumped at the chance to hit the BYU ticket issue which narrows down who you are. Your little group is a bloody menace to good cops everywhere.

By the way, I’m glad your Captian’s kid made a few bucks as a ticket scalper.

I lost credibility with you? I never wanted “you” to have it to begin with. Some who read what I say may see I’ve got some issues with IFPD, but many have backed me or at least asked intelligent questions of me. I don’t expect all of what I say to be taken for gospel. It’s hard to trust un-named sources. However, several others have verified many of my postings and so I feel somewhat vendicated by others. But, I had a feeling that soemone in the golden circle would surface and try to sew some discord in here. Vola! Here you are.

You sorted through these post looking for one thing, and you picked one of the least pressing issues to run you tirade against. I don’t see you addressing the bigger concerns this posting deals with.

I’m sure you’ll run off a copy of your posting, highlite it and slip under a few select doors at the PD. Then you’ll just happen to be in the area when the big wigs are around, and you’ll just happen to mention how you are a IFpdGUYFORLIFE, won’t you?

I have to laugh at your attempt to I.D. me with the bottle/boat statement. I’ll take a stab at you: ——— ——-/———–.

The officer you maligned is your better in all aspects of police work. —- ———— — – —- — — ————.

—-, — —- — —- —-. — —— —, —– —- ——— —-.

To everyone else, my apologies.

Me,

I’ve read Wambaugh, Good stuff. A code of silence is what you will always have. Even when officers leave the department, it can follow. If you think the rhetoric is bad here, I’ll tell you that there are alot of things not being discussed that would really get some people’s blood boiling. In all, these post are fairly tame. (Exception above noted). The code exists inside because you have to trust each other when the fecal matter hits the oscilating turbulance machine. Believe it or not, there is a little bit of the Serpico attitude even here in little ol’ Idaho Falls.

I think anyone can post hear. I really want to hear what you have to say. Your experiences with Livsey are positive and that is fine. Many of us also had good experiences with him from time to time. But the overall effect has been most distressing. I wish it wasn’t so. It may be more emotional for us because we worked in an environment were you literally depended on each for your life. It became clear that your back was not always covered, and you had to watch your fellow officers while trying to keep it cool on the streets. The stress of “the job” out in the community is nothing compared to the stress in the office at times. There will always be clicks in any job you do. But at the IFPD the animosity, backstabbing, and turning of blind eyes has created an atmosphere where I am now hearing officers say that if a particuloar officer is yelling for help over the radio, they won’t respond as quickly as they should. That was NEVER allowed when I was there. An officer who said that would have been run out. Everyman there has a right to go home at night, even the a..holes. But that’s changed. And the officers I hear being mentioned as being the ones who will be left out to dry are mostly the jerks, who many people would say deserve their fate. That may be true, but it goes against the grain of all I stood for as an officer.

As a bonus to you, (I’m not being a smart ass), I’ll tell you I don’t think Livsey tried to pay off Ericcson with a 800.00 check. Livsey is not that dumb, and Ericcson is more expensive than that. Other than that, I htink Livsey is not evil, but I do think he is out of the loop on almost evrything that is going on in the IFPD.

FeelingLucky,

Need to figure a way to get together. Maybe have a few laughs off line.

i agree with you on one thing speakout..i caught the parts that have been edited before they were edited, and they should not have been edited period. Wrong move Joe, if you did it you shouldn’t have, and if you didn’t and it’s an automated function then you need to look at your filters.

Site Admin: refer to explanation a couple comments above. It was my move this time, not automated, and it was a mistake I made.

speakout — shoot me an email at icu132@hotmail

Fly on the wall — i can tell you never made it into Detectives. Chaple doesn’t even know how to usen a computer — let alone own one.

My expierence with it is the more senior the officer the less actual responsibility that individual wants to assume…sort of backward in the real world where the higher you go the more you get.

Moulton did respond. He is not an Lt. and he deserved the award. But there were others who didn’t. One, in my opinion, did not respond due to being indifferent, and incompetent about police work. anyway, he’s gone now, so the officers should be a little bit safer.

Don’t go near Angie Dodge, or Melissa Garcia. There may be an explosion here. I hope not because there are things there that really are important to know. But, they need to be addressed in a more delicate manner than what goes on here.

Not even sure how to spell Michelbauker…. I hope I am close. That one was a tragedy that could have easily been prevented if Detectives had shared information quickly with patrol guys. That story is a sad one — and not many know it. Police dealt with Rhoades only hours before Susan was abducted. Detectives suspected Rhoades by then, but didn’t tell patrol. But don’t tell anyone… thats a secret. Just another great example of a lack of communication and cooperation on that Department — and what it can cost.

Melissa Garcia is a tragedy and I can’t believe the public allowed both the police department and Dane Watkin’s office to get away with it.

Todd Briggs tried to kill Garcia twice and the police did nothing to protect her. The supervisor, Sgt Dee Brown, on duty at the time of her murder admitted on camera that neither he nor his officers even knew where Garcia was staying at the time of her death.

The IFPD has guarded city council member houses, tents for various festivals on the river, and other property items but not Garcia.

Melissa left behind two young children who should be millionares right now but somehow the police were never sued even though they deserved to be.

And to make this tragedy worse, Dane Watkins office used a plea bargain with Briggs meaning he’ll be a free man again in 15 to 20 years. And people think Kimball Mason got a slap on the wrist?

Livsey should have been fired over this as its the second body that can be laid at the feet of his administration. The first being the person that Ben Hobbs murdered in Nevada after helping kill Angie Dodge. If Livsey’s troops had properly investigated Angie Dodge from the start Hobbs would have been picked up before he could flee to Nevada to kill again.

Discuss away, I’ve only (temporarily) shut down one discussion before when it got too heated and divisive. I don’t see that here.

In fact I would appreciate hearing more inside information on Melissa Garcia’s case that may not have been reported. I’m still burned up over that.

I took one of those citizen police academy courses a couple years ago, and I could tell the way the different cops would discuss Melissa Garcia that they were still haunted by it.

I got the feeling they knew errors were made and her death was entirely preventable, but it was just my feeling.

Thanks, FeelingLucky, for your sensitive and insightul post. Let me be perfecty clear: I, too, benefit from the discussion and am very grateful to those who post here about information I wouln’t know otherwise.

Melissa Garcia appeared to know many people, was friends with many, has family an former working colleagues. I just want to make sure that no one discounts or avois this thread because they feel Melissa’s life and death (although I just can’t say “case,” although I know a Case # is assigned to each incident where an officer responds to a situation involving a violation/threat or worse to a person), I will continue to refer to Melissa by her name.). I think you comment 164 as well as Joe’s at #163 sets the right tone and level of respect for Ms. Garcia.

Joe, since I’m an “old-timer” here now, you may or may not have remembered our discussion about Melissa, albeit brief. I just want to make sure that as you tend to this site so well to protect us, that you and your feelings aren’t left out. I’m relieved by your comment #163. Maybe others who are still struggling about Melissa might someday benefit if an entirey new thread were devoted to her, if appropriate.

I am not the expert here by any means. I just want to make sure that potentially some in Law Enforcement realize some who visit here were connected with Ms. Garca, or her family, during her life.

I do beieve a respectful discussion of what went wrong may be very useful for some who stll feel so confused about her murder.

That is my two cents about any comments regarding Ms. Garcia’s life, death and subsequent investigation. I defer to the experts. I just want to make sure any discussion is respectful not only of Ms. Garcia, but her “survivors,” which are more than her family.

Speakout,

Thank you for your kind offer. Right now, talking to the officer isn’t something I would like to do. But, I must tell you it means a lot to me that you would be so kind to try and help.

How about a rain check?

I think your kindness, demonstrated in #166, is more of what we need in some of the threads. One factor that drew me to this site was how positive it was and that people would help each other. I always ask Joe and others for their genius about computer issues, software programs etc.

Not just because it is Christmas and perhaps we’re more focused on giving and doing for others, but it is truly my hope for this site that people will continue to help others.

Along with that, I hope we can all remember we don’t necessarily has happened in another person’s day. It sure helps me when people give me the benefit of the doubt and ask me what I mean, if they aren’t sure. Or sometimes wishing another well goes a long way and can really make someone’s day.

So Speakout, thank you for your very kind offer. I’m just not there yet, but it was so nice of you to offer me an avenue to learn more. Thank you!

So it’s announced that Kimball Mason and his attorney Jim Archibald have likely worked out a plea agreement, details not released yet.

Sentencing will be February 12.

What kind of punishment would make you feel justice was served?

I don’t have anything personal against Kimball. He should be treated fairly under the law and get whatever he has coming to him. To get me to feel like justice was served, I would like to see all the cases he handled where property was forfeited be re-examined, and restitution made to those people where it is deemed appropriate.

I will be interested to know if Mason has said whether John Stosich knew the guns he was holding were stolen. Other than John he would be the only other person who knows. Also part of the agreement was for Mason to tell where the rest of the stolen guns are. I wonder if those people are immune.

Where is the petition to have his 1st sentance ended so his 2nd can begin as soon as possible? Maybe we should start one. That would be more than enough time for what he did. Amazing how many people want to kick a man when he is down. Have a little compassion and be fair and resonable. He should be punished extra for not being truthful the first time around. That extra punishment came in the form of a 2nd — LONGER sentance. His first sentance could have been over in 180 days. Now he has to serve at least a year. For crying out loud! A year for the first and 3 for the 2nd is fair.

Just one problem…Kimball Mason handled Misd. cases for the city –NOT murders. The Dodge case was handled by the County Prosecutor. Its just another angry person lashing out, without really thinking about what is fair and what isn’t.

Oh boy, those are some tough questions.

Could those calls really have been traced/referenced like described? Where they really not looked into by the state AG’s office or local police?

Feelin Lucky,
I guess you fell for Kimballs sorry me speech. What an actor he is!

Derick Tingey embezzled something like $600,000 from the Jefferson County School District and got six months in prison.

A woman in Blackfoot recently got picked up embezzling money off other employees paychecks and will serve no prison time.

Kimball Mason was an embezzler, pure and simple. And he is going to be serving a much harsher sentence than any other first time offender like the two I mention did.

I’d say his sentence given his crime is more than fair.

These people who are whining about his light sentence should be more upset about someone like Derrick Tingey. Mason stole a fraction of what Tingey did but is getting punished much worse.

That is very intriguing.

Ironic that the police department stored weapons in the evidence locker for years longer than they should have, but easily archive-able evidence like Kimball Mason’s phone conversations in the days after he was arrested might get deleted as soon as possible.

Thats what I think too.

A bank manager in Rexburg recently got 21 months for embezzling over a hundred thousand.

Derrick Tingey got six months for embezzling around $600,000 from the Jefferson County School District.

A school employee in Blackfoot got no jail time, just probation, for embezzling thousands from other employees.

Kimball Mason is going to do at least 4 years for embezzling around $20,000.

Anyone else see the obvious inequity. Carol Lambert and her pack of fools should focus their faux outrage elsewhere.

I think its funny how Angel was so worried about correcting peoples spelling, and then they turn around and spell “ridiculous” wrong.

This thread needs to die already! The guy made a mistake PLAIN & SIMPLE! We ALL do! It’s done and over with, he’s serving his time…people need to just let it go! Get over and get on with your lives!

I think Kimball Mason has the right incarceration sentence. But I don’t understand why the AG’s office has not gone after his state retirement benefits (PERSI). The State of Illinois is taking away governor-cum-felon Buddy Ryan and Congress changed the rules so Duke Cunningham doesn’t get to keep his Congressional pension. But no mention here about Kimball Mason being stripped of his state pension here in Idaho (or Derek Tingey his, for that matter).

Guest: it doesn’t bother ME at all. I’m just trying to figure out why it bothers everyone else so much. I mean who cares? It’s done and over with, why is it still a topic of discussion? It makes no sense to me.
It’s worse than that Anna Nicole crap that’s still on the news. There are a lot more important issues that should be focused on instead of crap like this!
We’ve got troops in Iraq & Afghanistan dying everyday, but instead of focusing on these important issues and trying to find soloutions, we’ve got people like you who are more concerned about Kimball Mason & Anna Nicole Smith! It makes perfect sense though….this is exactly why our country is in the state it’s in. Peoples priorities are totally wack!

Who are the corrupted and when did they take over?

Mike,
Were you in court when Moulton testified? I was. The defense attorney caught him cold in an outright lie. And it wasn’t just a little lie. It was a really really big lie. The evidence, the facts if you will, had been submitted to the court. Everyone in the room, and there were lots of people in the room (including the press), knew he was lying and heard the lie. What was he lying about? Well, I’m not in charge of the civil suit that is being filed in that case, so I am not at liberty to reveal that. I think I can safely say that the lie was told to cover up some extremely unprofessional and possibly illegal behavior. I also heard the testimony about the unprofessional behavior but since I’m not an attorney, I can’t say if it was illegal. What was sad, was as he told the really really big lie, he tried to cover up his behavior by blaming other officers who work with him - not outright, just implying that it might have been someone else he worked with who had done the dirty deed. I have friends who work for IFPD and I can’t picture any one of them doing what he suggested may have been them rather than him. I saw the witnesses in the hall, scared, but willing to testify to put a stop to what had been happening. That was why I came to court that day, to support those individuals who were trying to express the courage of their convictions. There were a lot of us who were asked to attend that day, and we did.
So, “do tell”, were you there? I will not apologize. I heard the evidence. I heard his answer. I heard the witnesses testify that he did do it.
Oh, yes. I have testified. And I have had a bad day on the stand. And the issue being decided by the court had something to do with something I had done. I knew that things weren’t going to go as well as the attorney hoped if I testified truthfully about what I had done exactly. But, unlike Moulton, I didn’t blame anyone else. I told the judge what I did exactly and admitted that I could have done it better. Mine wasn’t so much over illegal behavior. It was over timeliness issues. I honestly don’t remember if I could have done what I did any faster, but I didn’t sit on that stand and blame other people or events for my not having completed my task any quicker. I own my own behavior. And quite frankly, if I’m not doing anything I’m not supposed to, and doing what I am supposed to do to the best of my ability, I just don’t think I have anything to worry about if someone asks me, under oath or not, if I did my job.

[Comment edited by site admin, serious allegations were made against a person's professional reputation, and no evidence was ever sent to back it up.]

This would be a decision for Joe. I have spoken with the individuals involved who have one transcript on their case and are expecting another. Do you want to post this information on this site as “proof” of Moulton’s behavior? They haven’t insisted that their names be hidden but I would think that would be a better idea after Joe has done whatever he needs to do to satisfy himself and thus his readers that it’s an actual case.

As for why they settled the case involving Moulton, there are basically two reasons why they would do so. It’s cheaper to settle than fight OR ….. it’s true! As the terms of most settlements are usually sealed and confidential, we will never know. I take issue with that too. He’s a city employee. As taxpayers, we have a right to know if this officer is stepping outside the boundaries. Funny thing about the lawsuit if what you say is true that he went into the house looking for someone else. The same thing is happening in the case I am writing about. Moulton went to the wrong house looking for someone else although he keeps trying to tell everyone he was supposed to be at the house he went to. (yes, there is actual paperwork proving he was at the wrong address) Does one of our officers have problems on his beat figuring out where he’s supposed to be? Is there a pattern beginning to emerge here where an officer keeps ending up in the wrong house looking for someone who isn’t there and the folks he does run into are supposedly committing crimes? I am NOT, I repeat, NOT, accusing here, just thinking… Could it be the crimes were charged in an attempt to cover up the fact that he’s in the wrong place?

Nothing comes clean without some agitation.

I think it has been proven we need some agitation in our local government to force some issues in the open, such as the city attorney’s contract (which I think questions were never fully resolved on).

If anyone wants to post information here that agitates in the interest of uncovering truth the public should know (without simply smearing a character), then I eagerly encourage anyone to do so.

If information is posted and it turns out later that the info was only brought out to smear a character, and there was no possible dirty secrets the public would want to know, I will apologize myself to that person.

There, a gauntlet has been thrown down.

Good questions, particularly about rules how judges’ stamps are used. I’ve never understood that signature stamps are allowed on documents of legal significance, like court orders or even by doctors on prescriptions. The reason a certain person’s signature is required on such a document in the first place is to signify that the medically-trained doctor has okayed the use of the controlled drug, or that it is in fact the judge’s order. Signature stamps on mere correspondence is one thing, but shouldn’t be permitted on documents that we expect third parties to honor from the face of the document because it is signed.

Valid concerns.

I see 199 as someone’s observation, I’m prone to leave that standing. I wrote about my observations in Kimball Mason’s original sentencing and that just has to be taken as opinion.

201 could be bad though. That is throwing out some harsh statements. Is there anything to back that claim up? Any case that was proven to be in that manner described? Any reprimands in his record (though second thought hope that isn’t public record)?

If no evidence backs up 201 in the next few days I’ll delete the name or entire comment.

Thank you for helping spot these things. We want open discussion and transparency, but there’s no reason to throw out harsh allegations like that and not have them backed up somehow.

About Darin Moulton.

He is easily the #1 cop on the IFPD in terms of arresting drug users, people with warrants, and other bad guys. So of course he is going to draw the most complaints since the criminal element are also the biggest complainers. A cop who does nothing but drive around all shift doesn’t anger anyone and if you don’t anger anyone you will not draw complaints. Moulton on the other hand spends the whole shift taking bad guys off the street. So of course he also is going to draw a lot of complaints. And you should remember that a certain segment of the public like *cough* a certain poster on this board *cough* hates the police and will always bash them.

As to Moulton receiving the “Medal of Honor” from the state that is 100% correct. When officer Brent Guymon called for help some officers fled in the oppisote direction or ignored his call for help (fortunately 2 of the 4 scum officers are now retired) but Moulton rushed to the scene, put his life on the line, and saved the lives of two officers. That doesn’t excuse bad behavior (if he has in fact done any) by him but it is important to keep facts straight about him.

IMO Darin Moulton is the cop you want to respond when you need help, when a bad guy is invading your home, when your neighbor is selling drugs, and when your life is on the line.

I have no beef with any officer doing his job if he did his job within all the parameters required by law. It’s tough in this day and age with drugs running rampant on the streets and literally destroying lives to not take the attitude that our officers should do whatever it takes to try and stem the horrible tide of meth users. I don’t want these “bad guys” out on the streets any more than you do.

HOWEVER, at the very conception of this country some very intelligent, foresighted (and in my opinion, heavenly inspired) individuals crafted a document known to all as our Bill of Rights. Within those words comes a guarantee to ALL citizens that an individual is innocent until proven guilty, that all individuals have a right to a trial, to assistance of counsel, out of which sprung Miranda rights, the right to privacy, search and seizure laws, rights against self-incrimination, etc. When those rights are ignored by a zealous officer who doesn’t believe they apply to him in the interest of putting away the bad guys, he puts himself above the law. And when he’s looking at you, you’re going to want him to be respectful and mindful of those rights. Yes, unfortunately that means that occasionally the bad guy gets off on what we like to term a technicality, but when they come into your home without a search warrant, pull you and your kids out of your car to be subjected to a search (I’d love to hear how you feel about having your 16-year old daughter patted down by a male officer) when there is no probable cause for him to do so, he just wants to do it because he’s the number one cop in the city for getting the bad guys - you’re going to hope and pray you can find (and afford) an attorney who will go to court and demand that your civil rights are protected. It’s all too easy to say, well, we’ll just look the other way this time cuz he got a bad guy, but sometimes the guy they got isn’t guilty, and we’ve let them go too far so many times, we can’t say no this time.
I used to feel as apparently so many of you do that where there’s smoke there’s fire, that it’s okay to bend the rules “just a bit” so we don’t have to have the bad guys out here with us, but as I became interested in these cases because it happened to someone I love, I came to embrace the concept that it truly is better that twelve guilty men go free than one innocent man go to prison. Is there anyone out there who truly believes the opposite? Who do you know, an innocent, that you would be willing to let waste away in prison so that not a single bad guy got away? I don’t know of anyone I would be willing to condemn in such a manner. Cuz the fact of the matter is this. If they are truly bad guys, they’ll come around again and an officer won’t have had to sell his integrity up the river to put him away - the right way. By the book. With all civil rights having been protected.

Just my opinion. But when the officer in question comes to your door by “accident” and you find yourself caught up unjustly in the “justice” system, I hope I can find it in my heart to find compassion for you because you’ll have no one but yourself to blame for your apathy when it was happening to others and you knew it. Unless we stem the tide of the loss of our civil rights (think Patriot Act here) we’ll have no rights left at all. And we’ll have no one but ourselves to blame.

I offered to let Joe post the transcripts here as proof of this officers behavior. He has not accepted. I guess that says it all, doesn’t it? Ignorance is bliss. Please feel free to delete my comment as suggested above. I have lost my desire to convince you to stand up for yourselves and fight. Since it hasn’t happened to you so it must not be happening.

Wow, I felt like I was listening to a version of Law & Order in post 213. I understand that you have some personal experiences here. I think alot of want to hear more about the police over reacting and/or violating people’s rights. What we don’t need is rhetoric without reality attached to it on such a serious local issue. If there are transcripts and documents out there to bolster the claims then by all means, write an article and lets get some understanding here. As Sgt. Joe Friday says, “Just the facts….”

FWIW, I’ve known and worked with Moulton for years. He’s about as stand-up of a guy you’d ever want to meet.

To Anonymous - I don’t think I’ve ever said that there were “that many” corrupt officers out there. I think I’ve restricted my comments to a few. My best guess estimate would be that there are less than 5 officers on each force (IFPD and BCSO) who need a closer look and the rest are stand up guys. I think I have also said that I have friends on the force and I trust them implicitly. It makes me feel bad for them when someone on their force does something to tarnish their reputation.

As for why the press didn’t report, they were required to leave over an hour before the hearing ended to meet deadlines on other stories. I would hope they are following the case as the best is yet to come from what I understand from the individuals involved. The testimony given after the press left did not leave Officer Moulton looking too good.

You act surprised that he has a bad reputation amongst the “bad guys”. That would be a true statement and I would acknowledge that. EXCEPT, given that he is an officer, most of his associations on a day-to-day basis would be with “bad guys” and just because they’ve done something wrong doesn’t give an officer permission to do something wrong.

Remember, it was the “bad guys” who outed KM. No one believed Jimmie Caudle, and then no one believed the next guy and so on and so on until the accusations had piled up so deep that it was too much to be ignored. Given the cases coming onto the radar now, I would say the same thing is about to happen to Moulton.

I have a question to pose here. Why is it than when a citizen is arrested, he is presumed to be guilty on the basis that where’s there’s smoke there’s fire and when an officer is accused of wrongdoing, he must absolutely be innocent because he’s an officer. This appears to be a double standard to me. Your thoughts?