March 16th, 2020

PRESS RELEASE

RE:  Six adults, one juvenile, involved in Burglary and Possession of THC Wax

     On March 14th, 2020, at approximately 1:50am, Bonneville County Sheriff’s Deputies assigned to the Ammon Division were sent to a residence in the 1700 S. block of Eagle’s Homestead Dr. to a report of a Burglary in progress.  The reporting party indicated approximately 8 people had entered a residence yelling and making threats before taking items from inside and leaving in two vehicles, a gray Honda and a white car.  A Bonneville County Sheriff’s Deputy responding to the area located the gray Honda on 17th St. coming from the Eagle’s Homestead area and stopped it near Market Way identifying 4 subjects inside.  During this time an Idaho Falls Police Officer stopped the white car believed to be involved in the Burglary near Jennie Lee and 17th St. and identified 2 subjects inside.  Deputies that responded to the residence were able to confirm from the reporting party that these were the vehicles and subjects involved in the Burglary. 

     Deputies identified the four subjects in the Honda as 21 year old Victor H. Hernandez Ariz of Shelley, 19 year old Jhessamyne A. Botello of Idaho Falls, 19 year old Samantha S. Kunasek of Idaho Falls, and 18 year old Fernando D. Ponce of Shelley.  At the time of the stop, Deputies could smell the strong odor of Marijuana coming from inside the vehicle and subsequently during a search located THC Wax hidden under the seats along with prescription medication and property hidden in the trunk that belonged to the residence on Eagle’s Homestead.  Ponce admitted to Deputies he had been driving the vehicle, which belonged to Hernandez Ariz, and that both Botello and Kunasek placed items in the trunk prior to being stopped by Deputies.  Ponce was also found to be in possession of a small amount of THC Wax.  Kunasek also admitted to Deputies they were at the residence in question.  In all, Deputies located approximately 4 ounces of THC Wax during this stop.

     Deputies and Idaho Falls Police Officers identified 20 year old Dalton Black of Idaho Falls as the owner and driver of the white car stopped near Jennie Lee Dr. along with 18 year old Jose Corado Meja of St. Anthony who was the passenger.  Both Black and Corado Meja denied being involved in the Burglary, however a search of the vehicle produced approximately 36 grams of THC wax packaged the same as what was located by Deputies in the gray vehicle.  Deputies were advised that approximately $1500 in cash was taken from the residence on Eagle’s Homestead and found that Black was in possession of that approximate amount on his person.  Deputies seized the cash as evidence along with other items linking Black and Corado Meja to the Burglary.

     All 6 individuals were transported to the Bonneville County Jail where they were booked for Burglary and Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana.  A 7th individual, a 17 year old male juvenile, showed up at the traffic stop on Market Way and was found to be connected to the persons inside and the vehicle.  Deputies have sent a report to the Prosecutor’s Office for review of potential charges against him in relation to the Burglary. 

     This case is still under investigation and no further information is available at this time.