POCATELLO, Idaho — A federal jury has convicted a man of wire fraud, theft of government funds, and aggravated identity theft after prosecutors revealed he spent more than two decades posing as a California teenager who died in 1977.

Following a three-day trial before David C. Nye, jurors found the defendant, whose real identity remains unknown, guilty Thursday on multiple charges, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho.

The defendant assumed the identity of Carlos Ramon Obregon, who was born in Los Angeles in 1963 and killed in a drive-by shooting at age 14, according to evidence presented at trial.

In 2000, 23 years after Obregon’s death, the defendant requested a replacement Social Security card using Obregon’s personal information. Obregon’s mother later testified the man is not her son and that she had never met him.

Prosecutors said the defendant used Obregon’s identity to collect approximately $283,000 in government benefits over more than 20 years. That includes $177,000 in Supplemental Security Income payments, $91,000 in Medicaid funds, $12,000 in SNAP benefits and $3,200 in COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments.

The defendant also obtained government-issued documents using Obregon’s identity, including a U.S. passport in 2012 that he used to travel to Mexico, and multiple Idaho identification cards. A 2024 passport renewal attempt was denied.

Investigators from multiple agencies contributed to the case as the U.S. Department of Justice expands its work through the newly formed National Fraud Enforcement Division.

Report by EastIdahoNews.com staff

BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — Along the Boise River, thousands of people float, fish, and spend time outdoors every summer. But behind the scenes, volunteers are working year-round to help keep the water clean and healthy.

Idaho Rivers United is highlighting the work being done through its Boise River Stewards program, which gives community members the opportunity to participate in trash cleanup events and perform water quality testing along the river.

“So we’ve got the Boise River Stewards program, which gives people an opportunity to volunteer to come for trash cleanup events and to perform water quality tests on the Boise River,” said Dave Womack, communications director at Idaho Rivers United. “Last year alone, we picked up 3,800 pounds of trash from the Greenbelt.”

Volunteers say they find all kinds of debris during cleanup efforts.

“We find everything. We find bike parts, old mattresses, traffic cones, there’s really no limit to the number of items that you can find,” says Womack

From small debris to large waste left behind, organizers say volunteers help remove a significant amount of trash from along the Boise River every year while also helping monitor the health of the water through testing efforts.

“We’ve gotten out there and done water quality tests,” said Madeleine Shapiro, a longtime volunteer.

Organizers say anyone can get involved, whether it’s helping during cleanup events, learning about water testing, or becoming more aware of how everyday actions impact the river.

“I recreate almost every single day, either fishing, sitting by the river, or floating when it’s float time,” Shapiro says. “So, I feel like it’s my responsibility to keep it clean and keep it nice, too. That’s all of our role as recreators and as community members in Boise.”

The Boise River remains a major part of life in the Treasure Valley, and volunteers say protecting it takes ongoing care from the community. Through cleanup efforts and water quality testing, organizers hope more people realize that even small actions can help keep the river healthy for future generations.

To volunteer, you can go to idahorivers.org

MISSOULA, Mont. — Montana Technological University has signed a memorandum of understanding with Battelle Energy Alliance LLC, the operator of Idaho National Laboratory, to expand collaboration in nuclear energy and critical materials research.

The partnership creates a framework for joint research, workforce development and academic collaboration focused on areas including critical minerals, mineral processing, mine waste recovery and nuclear energy education.

The three-year agreement will provide opportunities for faculty exchanges, joint workshops and expanded internships and graduate research experiences for students.

University officials said the agreement will support Montana Tech’s planned undergraduate certificate and graduate degree programs in nuclear energy and energy engineering, which were approved by the Montana Board of Regents earlier this year.

Full release:

Montana Technological University has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Battelle Energy Alliance LLC, the managing and operating contractor of the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), to expand collaboration in critical materials and nuclear energy research.

“Our longstanding partnership with the Idaho National Lab has helped Montana Tech faculty and students advance their research in meaningful ways,” Montana Tech Chancellor Johnny MacLean said. “This new MOU represents an important next step as we more intentionally align our efforts with national priorities. It’s a wonderful example of how Montana Tech is once again rising to meet America’s needs in partnership with government and industry.”

The partnership establishes a framework for joint research, workforce development, and academic collaboration between Montana Tech and one of the nation’s leading energy laboratories.

Montana Tech and INL will pursue collaborative efforts in critical minerals and materials, including extraction technologies, mineral processing, and innovative methods for recovering valuable elements from mine waste and tailings. Additional areas of focus include economic geology, materials characterization, and site remediation and restoration.

“Combining Montana Tech’s exceptional applied hands-on expertise in critical materials and mining research with INL’s capabilities, allows us to accomplish things neither institution could achieve alone,” said Robert Podgorney, a subsurface science directorate fellow at INL. “Through joint research, faculty exchanges and internship opportunities, we’re extending the bench on some of the most consequential challenges facing our nation’s critical materials supply chain.”

The MOU also emphasizes expanding collaboration in nuclear energy, including developing educational pathways, enhancing curriculum and engaging with experts in emerging nuclear technologies.

The three-year agreement includes opportunities for faculty and staff exchanges, joint workshops and expanded industry engagement. Students will benefit from increased internship opportunities and access to graduate research experiences in collaboration with INL scientists and engineers.

“This partnership represents a significant step forward in advancing applied research at Montana Tech,” Vice Chancellor of Research and Dean of the Graduate School Katie Hailer said. “By aligning our strengths in critical materials and resource development with the world-class capabilities at the Idaho National Laboratory, we are creating new opportunities to move research from the laboratory toward real-world application. This collaboration will accelerate technologies in critical materials recovery while providing our students and faculty with direct access to one of the nation’s premier energy research environments.”

The agreement will play a critical role in Montana Tech’s establishment of an undergraduate certificate in nuclear energy, a Master of Science in Nuclear Energy, and a Ph.D. in Energy Engineering and Science with three specializations: Power Systems and Technologies; Energy Conversion and Application; and Petroleum and Subsurface Engineering. In March 2026, the Montana Board of Regents approved Montana Tech’s plans to launch the programs.

As it celebrates its 125th year, Montana Tech continues to expand its focus on energy systems and critical materials aligning with national priorities and industry needs. This partnership further supports the university’s purpose to rise to meet America’s emerging needs by preparing the next generation of STEM leaders.