Insurrection in the nation's Capitol found its way into Bonner County after a Sandpoint man was arrested in connection to the Jan. 6 riot.

The charge, like similar cases throughout the country, would be a major story in the county in 2021.

Michael Anthony Pope, 32, is charged with two felonies and five misdemeanor charges, according to U.S. District Court records. The felony charges allege Pope obstructed an official proceeding and engaged in civil disorder on the day Congress convened to certify Electoral College ballots, which cemented Joseph Biden's presidency and the defeat of former President Donald Trump.

Pope and his brother, William Pope of Kansas, are among the thousands of supporters of former President Donald Trump who converged on the Capitol as Congress met in a joint session to certify the Electoral College votes for the 2020 Presidential Election. To date, several hundred people have been charged in connection to the insurrection.

Based on witness testimony and the videos, FBI agent said there was probable cause for the charges, which allege the pair obstructed an official proceeding and engaged in civil disorder, entering and remaining in a restricted building, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building, disorderly conduct in a capitol building, impeding passage on capitol grounds and demonstrating in a restricted facility.

The pair pled not guilty to the criminal charges related to the insurrectionist violence in the nation's Capitol on Jan. 6.

Bonner County man charged with cannibalism, first-degree murder

In mid-December, James David Russell, 39, was charged with cannibalism in addition to a charge of first-degree murder in connection to the Sept. 10 murder of David Flaget.

Pieces of Flaget’s body were found upon searching Russell’s residence the day after the murder, including a “thermal artifact.” A thermal artifact is an observational finding showing that heat has been applied to only a portion of the remains, as opposed to the entire body. 

Bonner County Sheriff’s deputies were notified of a possible murder on Lower Mosquito Creek Road near Clark Fork. Upon arrival, they found Flaget upside down in the passenger’s seat of his truck, unresponsive.

After a brief stand-off, Russell was compliant with law enforcement’s commands and allowed himself to be apprehended. According to court documents, Russell was unable to understand his Miranda rights after they were repeatedly read to him. Russell made only one statement to law enforcement in which he repeated more than twice: “It’s private property and we don’t like non-family on it.”

Court proceedings were paused in late October after First District Magistrate Judge Tara Harden found Russell unfit to stand trial for first-degree murder and ordered him to the Idaho Security Medical Program. The results of the mental health evaluation on Oct. 5 remain under seal by court order.

Redistricting maps prompt lawsuits

Since approved by the state's bipartisan redistricting commission, several legal challenges have been filed over proposed new legislative and congressional maps. The lawsuits contend the maps are unconstitutional because it splits up more counties than necessary.

The bipartisan Idaho Commission for Reapportionment was tasked with redrawing the legislative and congressional maps to create districts roughly equal in population, with just over 52,000 residents each. The commission is required to map new legislative districts that do not have more than a 10% population variance and they are supposed to avoid dividing counties into multiple districts as much as possible.

Commissioners voted unanimously in early November to approve the new legislative map, which is titled L03. Commissioners then voted 4-2 to approve the new congressional map, which is called C03.

Redistricting lawsuits are common, with at least 10 cases filed over the last four redistricting attempts dating back to 1981.

If approved, all of Boundary County and most of Bonner County would remain in District 1. A southwestern portion of Bonner County — encompassing the Spirit Lake and Blanchard areas — would be moved into the new District 2. Areas on the southeastern portion of the county, including Sagle, would be moved from District 7 into District 1.

Under the map, current District 1 Sen. Jim Woodward and Sage Dixon, representative for current District 1B seat, would remain in the newly configured District 1. Heather Scott, representative for the current District 1A seat, would be in the newly configured District 2.