In honor of Idaho’s fallen law enforcement officers, Sheriff Kieran Donahue and the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office held the 13th annual Canyon County Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony on Friday, May 16, at The Center at the Canyon County Fair. The ceremony is held annually during National Police Week and pays tribute to the 77 Idaho law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.

The scammer will typically use the name of CCSO personnel they have found through internet searches. The scammer then tells the victim that to avoid having a warrant issued for their arrest, they must remain on the phone and travel to ATMs and/or Bitcoin kiosks to transfer thousands of dollars to an account number provided by the scammer.

Please know that neither CCSO nor any reputable law enforcement would place phone calls advising citizens when a warrant is issued for their arrest. Additionally, neither CCSO nor any other law enforcement agency would demand citizens pay a fine or fee over the phone to avoid arrest.

If you or someone you know has fallen victim to this or a similar scam that has not yet been reported, please notify law enforcement immediately or report the fraud online to the Idaho Department of Finance or reportfraud.ftc.gov.

As always, be vigilant with your finances. If you receive any suspicious call from someone claiming to be law enforcement, please hang up and call the listed number for that agency to verify that you are, in fact, speaking to a legitimate law enforcement official.

Additional resources to assist individuals who have fallen victim to this type of scam or similar crimes can be found at www.consumerfinance.gov and finance.idaho.gov.

Donald L. Davis

Judge Grove sentenced Davis to a unified sentence of eight (8) years in prison, requiring the defendant to serve 1 ½ years fixed, followed by 6 ½ years indeterminate. Judge Grove also suspended Davis’s driver’s license for five (5) years following his release from prison. Davis was also ordered to pay a $5,000 civil penalty to the victim’s family and submit a DNA sample to the Idaho database.

On July 28, 2023, Davis was driving a Toyota RAV4 southbound on Midland Blvd when he failed to yield at a stop sign at US 20-26 and collided with a motorcycle driven by 46-year-old Shane Ferguson of Boise. Ferguson was pronounced dead at the scene. According to court documents, Davis was sitting behind another vehicle that was stopped at the stop sign on Midland Blvd, waiting to turn onto US 20-26. The driver of that vehicle told ISP investigators that Davis was honking at her to go. Multiple witnesses stated Davis then drove onto the right shoulder to get around the car in front of him before pulling out into oncoming traffic and causing the fatal collision.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Grove spoke about Davis’s lack of remorse, noting that Davis seemed more concerned about the damage to his car than Ferguson. During the sentencing hearing, Judge Grove also admonished Davis for his behavior, telling him, “You are focusing on all but the most important thing. You caused another man’s death.”

“I applaud Deputy Prosecutor Scott Vermeer for stepping in to take over a difficult case where a binding plea offer was made prior to my administration,” said Prosecutor Chris Boyd. “I would also like to express my appreciation to Judge Grove for his wisdom and compassion for the victims in our community. I can only hope that the end of this case provides some measure of closure for the victims.”

Judge Roker sentenced Adams to a unified sentence of fifteen (15) years, requiring the defendant to serve four (4) years fixed, followed by eleven (11) indeterminate. “Right now, you present an extreme risk to the community,” Judge Roker told Adams.

Sequoia L. Adams

During the sentencing hearing, the victim submitted a written statement to the Court in addition to presenting testimony explaining how she has been affected by the defendant’s actions. In her statement, the victim said, “I will never forget the barrel in my mouth and him saying that nobody will miss me. . .. It was torture . . . it was abuse.” The State asked for the maximum sentence allowed under the plea agreement: that the Judge impose a sentence of eight (8) years fixed, followed by twelve (12) years indeterminate, for a total unified sentence of twenty (20) years in prison. “The actions of Sequoia Adams require prison,” Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Angela Stevens stated. Stevens added that the victim would “never forget what this man did to her.” The defendant’s attorney, Isaiah Govia, asked the court to retain jurisdiction and sentence Adams to a “rider.”

Adams was arrested by the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office on June 25, 2024, after he threatened the victim with a gun before brutally punching, kicking and stomping on her, leaving the victim with abrasions and bruises all over her body. Adams then forced her into his vehicle, where he continued to strike her and threaten her with a gun. He then forced the barrel of the gun into the victim’s mouth and told her he would kill her. While in the vehicle, Adams fell asleep and the victim was able to call 911. A search of the vehicle revealed numerous items of methamphetamine paraphernalia.

The defendant was charged with felony Possession of a Controlled Substance, misdemeanor Possession of a Controlled Substance, misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, felony Domestic Battery with Traumatic Injury, Aggravated Assault, a Firearms Enhancement, misdemeanor False Imprisonment, and a Persistent Violator enhancement. On October 31, 2024, Adams pleaded guilty to Domestic Battery with Traumatic Injury with a Persistent Violator enhancement pursuant to a plea agreement.

“I am grateful for the dedication and skill of the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office in investigating this case and to my staff for their tireless work in bringing Mr. Adams to justice,” Prosecutor Boyd said. “Mr. Adams belongs in prison for a long time, and it is my hope that this sentence gives the brave survivor in this case some closure and some peace.”

“I want to thank my staff and Prosecutor Boyd and his team for putting this violent offender behind bars and sending a strong message that domestic violence has no place in our community,” added Sheriff Kieran Donahue. “I also want to commend the victim for her bravery, which likely kept this incident from being even more tragic than it was. I pray that she can finally begin the healing process knowing that her offender is in prison.”

The Canyon County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) has received many calls and complaints referencing fraudulent online farm equipment sales allegedly being sold from an address in Canyon County.

In 2024, there have been numerous reports of online purchasing and arrangements for the delivery of tractors and other farming implements. However, when the money is sent and confirmation of payment has been received, the delivery of the item purchased never happens, and all communication stops. If the buyer attempts to contact the seller, their phone number is blocked, and emails go unanswered.

Some of the fraudulent websites that have been reported are:

• profarmequipment.com
• profarmsheavymachinery.com
• morganfieldequipment.com

Victims have described similar interactions with the supposed seller, who may be the same person in each sale. The victim will call the phone number posted on the website. A person will answer, and a discussion on the purchase and delivery will take place. Each website is carefully built with pictures of the business that closely match actual Canyon County addresses of farm property. However, only after the money is sent is there any suspicion of fraud.

The websites use legitimate Canyon County residential addresses. In most cases, the phone number associated with the fraudulent business has an Idaho area code. When called, someone answers and gives the impression you are speaking with a legitimate business. They take information, answer questions, and even arrange to receive the victim’s money. However, this is all a SCAM. There is no intent to deliver any farm equipment. There is NO equipment to deliver.

Victims are typically from outside Idaho and unfamiliar with Canyon County. Unfortunately, they do not realize they have been scammed until it is too late, and they have already sent the money, thinking they were paying for a legitimate transaction.

CCSO suspects the person or persons behind these activities is not local and may be located outside of the United States.

CCSO has the following recommendations to help you avoid this type of scam:

• Do not make any online purchases without first doing your research.
• Take extra time to verify the legitimacy of a business before sending them money.
• Only send money or make payments using legitimate sources. Do not send money via cryptocurrency or wire transfer.
• If you have questions about the legitimacy of a business, please contact our office at (208) 454-7531 or the Better Business Bureau at (208) 994-6896.

If you suspect you’ve been scammed, please call our office at (208) 454-7531 and ask for Detective Heim. You can also report fraud and scams at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Special Olympics Idaho is thrilled to announce Canyon County Sheriff Kieran Donahue as the new Director of the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for Special Olympics Idaho. The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for Special Olympics is the largest public awareness vehicle and grass-roots fundraiser for Special Olympics Idaho and Special Olympics across the globe. As LETR Director, Sheriff Donahue will work with law enforcement agencies statewide to encourage participation in LETR fundraising events such as Tip-A-Cop, Baggin’ for Bucks, and Polar Plunges in their communities. Sheriff Donahue will also champion the Guardians of the Flame initiative in May and June when law enforcement members and Special Olympics athletes will carry the “Flame of Hope” across Idaho and into the Opening Ceremony at the State Summer Games in Caldwell on June 6-7, 2024.

“Sheriff Donahue’s appointment as the Director of the Law Enforcement Torch Run is an exciting step forward for our mission,” said Kristi Kraft, President and CEO of Special Olympics Idaho. “His leadership and commitment to community service are truly inspiring, and we know he will bring incredible energy and passion to this role. Together, with the support of law enforcement agencies across the state, we will continue to shine a light on the achievements of our athletes and advance the values of inclusion and acceptance in every corner of Idaho.”

“It’s an incredible honor to serve as the Law Enforcement Torch Run Director for Special Olympics Idaho,” said Sheriff Kieran Donahue. “This program provides a tremendous opportunity for law enforcement across Idaho to highlight the amazing athletes of Special Olympics Idaho and show our communities the true power of perseverance and acceptance. I couldn’t be prouder to work alongside such an extraordinary organization that has—and will continue to have—a lasting and meaningful impact on the lives of so many.”

The Guardians of the Flame Torch Run events will occur in three phases leading up to the State Summer Games. The first phase is scheduled for May 19-23 in northern Idaho. The second phase will be May 26-30 in southeast and southern Idaho. The final phase in southwest Idaho and the Treasure Valley will occur June 2-5, culminating at the Opening Ceremony of the State Summer Games at Simplot Stadium in Caldwell on June 6, 2024.

Additional LETR fundraising events will occur throughout the year in communities across Idaho. For information on upcoming events, please visit the Facebook page of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Idaho.

About LETR
The Law Enforcement Torch Run was founded in 1981 by Wichita, Kansas, Police Chief Richard LaMunyon. Since its inception, the LETR has raised over a billion dollars globally for Special Olympics, including over $50 million this year alone. More than 90,000 law enforcement officers worldwide have participated in LETR events over the last 43 years.

“I’ve been made aware that certain national media outlets are broadcasting a map/graphic that shows the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua is operating in Canyon County. I want to make it clear that this graphic is misleading. I did an interview with a national reporter in August, during which we spoke about TdA and its presence in the West, where they have been tied to confirmed criminal activity in Utah and Colorado. I told the reporter about intelligence I had received regarding TdA traveling across Idaho to commit crimes, but I did not state that TdA was operating or committing crimes in Canyon County. Thankfully, to my knowledge, there have been no confirmed reports of TdA activity in Canyon County or elsewhere in the Treasure Valley. That said, I believe that TdA is a very dangerous gang, and national reports show they are growing rapidly, so it stands to reason we will eventually see them in Idaho.”

 For additional information, please see the press release issued last month by the American Sheriff Alliance calling for action against Tren de Aragua or the press release issued last week on the American Sheriff Alliance’s Immigration and Border Security Priorities and Positions.