Cascade, Idaho – The Valley County Prosecutor's Office would like to highlight several court outcomes over the last 30 days. These cases represent important issues facing our community and the County’s dedication to work together across departments and with partner agencies to improve safety and serve the public. 

Case #1: Marijuana Trafficker sentenced to 12 years in prison

Monty White, 56, of Donnelly, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for Trafficking Marijuana in Valley County District Court on Monday, June 12.  Mr. White will be eligible for parole after serving 3 years at the Idaho Department of Corrections. A months long investigation by the Valley County Sheriff's Office resulted in a search warrant being served on Mr. White's residence in late March of this year. Detectives found over thirteen pounds of marijuana, just under an ounce of methamphetamine, and a firearm during the search, along with numerous items of paraphernalia and other items related to the packaging and sale of illegal drugs. Mr. White had previously been convicted of manufacturing and/or trafficking drugs in 2007. 

"As is so often the case with people who are selling marijuana,” says Valley County Prosecutor Brian Naugle, “we find that those same folks are almost always involved in the sale or use of other drugs as well, such as heroin, methamphetamine, or fentanyl.” In Mr. White's case, he was dealing these drugs just down the street from Donnelly Elementary School. “I'd like to thank the Valley County Sheriff's Detectives who were able to use every available resource to pinpoint the source of Mr. White's operation,” says Naugle. “Our community is safer and cleaner today because of their hard work."

Case #2: Domestic Violence Case Shines Light on Victim Resources

Christopher Love, 32, of Donnelly, pled guilty to Attempted Strangulation and had an 8-year prison sentence suspended. He was placed on probation for 8 years and will serve 90 days in the Valley County Jail before beginning his probationary period. The charges in this case stemmed from an incident back in December of 2022 in which the victim of the strangulation was able to escape Mr. Love's home late at night and seek a safe place, where she was able to report the crime to police. Valley County Sheriff's Deputies sought and were granted a warrant for Mr. Love's arrest and he was taken into custody a short time after the incident. Mr. Love was ordered to complete 52 weeks of domestic violence treatment as one of several terms of his probation.

“We commend the victim in this case,” says Naugle, “who had the courage to get out and get help.” It can be extremely difficult to get out of a relationship marked by domestic violence. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse or domestic violence, please contact Rise Up to Thrive at riseuptothrive.org or 208-382-5310.

Case #3: Home Invasion Emphasizes Commitment to Safety

Nathanial Flower, 37, pled guilty to one count of Burglary for breaking into a home near Little Payette Lake. While in the home, Mr. Flower helped himself to a soft drink and used the facilities. He also took a pair of boots from the home before leaving the victim's home without making contact with any of the home's residents. Judge Jason Scott suspended a five-year prison sentence and placed Mr. Flower on Felony Probation for five years. Mr. Flower was ordered to serve 90 days in the Valley County Jail and pay restitution to the victims, whose home was damaged during the break-in. 

While there was not a significant loss in terms of stolen merchandise during this break-in, the Sheriff's Office and the Prosecutor's Office take any home invasion break-in very seriously, whether items are stolen or not. “This criminal behavior compromises the feeling of safety that we are all entitled to feel when we are in our homes,” says Naugle. “The Sheriff's Office did a great job responding to this crime quickly, which enabled them to literally track down the perpetrator in the snow. Without their quick response, it would have been very difficult to determine who had committed this crime, so my thanks to them for their speedy response despite the difficult winter conditions."

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