Krew Zaugg (2003 – ) was a Mormon church member in Idaho Falls, Idaho; went on an LDS mission to Louisiana and Mississippi from August 2022 to 2024; 06-2025 charged with rape of a victim under the age of 16 and lewd conduct with a child under 16; pleaded guilty to charges and given one year rider sentence 10-2026; required to register as sex offender.

Krew Mario Zaugg was a Mormon in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Krew Zaugg had recently returned from an LDS mission in Louisiana and Mississippi (Louisiana Baton Rouge Mission) from August 2022 to 2024, when he met a 15-year-old girl on Snapchat in May 2025. She told him her age before they met. That night he sexually assaulted her in his car. Her family said she could not get out because the doors were locked.

In June 2025, Zaugg was charged with multiple felonies after police said he sexually assaulted a minor.

CHARGED WITH:

-RAPE OF A VICTIM UNDER THE AGE OF 16

-LEWD CONDUCT WITH A CHILD UNDER 16

Zaugg was was released the same day he was charged, on a $75,000 bond. Krew Zaugg admitted he initially lied to police. About six months after his arrest, while the charges were pending, he married. Under a plea agreement, the rape charge was amended to battery with intent to commit a serious felony, and the lewd conduct charge was dismissed. He pleaded guilty in July 2026.

PLEA AGREEMENT AMENDED CHARGES:

-BATTERY WITH INTENT TO COMMIT A SERIOUS FELONY

-LEWD CONDUCT WITH A CHILD UNDER 16 / DISMISSED

More than 40 supporters filled his side of the courtroom at sentencing. The victim’s family told the court that his family and friends had harassed her online, and the judge ordered his supporters to stop. On October 26, 2026, Zaugg was sentenced to a one-year prison rider with an underlying sentence of 4 to 18 years.

He must register as a sex offender and have no contact with the victim for 14 years.

If you have any information about Zaugg’s LDS membership history please contact us.

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Sources

  1. Idaho Falls man charged with alleged rape of 15-year-old, East Idaho News, June 18, 2025.
  2. Idaho Falls man who sexually assaulted a 15-year-old in his Tesla gets a rider, East d, October 27, 2026.
  3. CR10-25-05776 | State of Idaho Plaintiff, vs. Krew Mario Zaugg Defendant, Idaho Court Records, May 29, 2025.
  4. Krew Mario Zaugg, Recently Booked, October 26, 2026.
  5. Local Man Charged With Sexual Assault Gets A Rider, KPVI 6, October 28, 2026.
  6. Sobbing missionary admits he raped girl, 15, in Tesla because he was going through a breakup... as judge who let him get married while on bail allows him to walk free, Daily Mail, October 28, 2026.
  7. Zaugg, Krew Mario Order Number NCO-2025-002495 Case Number CR10-25-05776, Idaho Court Records, May 29, 2025.

  • 1. Idaho Falls man charged with alleged rape of 15-year-old

    • 20250618
    • News article
    • East Idaho News

    IDAHO FALLS — A 21-year-old Idaho Falls man has been charged with multiple felonies after police say he sexually assaulted a minor.

    Krew Mario Zaugg is charged with felonies for rape of a victim under the age of 16 and lewd conduct with a child under 16.

    The case details were sealed by prosecutors so little detail is known, but according to a criminal complaint obtained by EastIdahoNews.com, Zaugg is accused of raping a 15-year-old on or between May 4 and 5.

    A warrant was issued for Zaugg’s arrest on May 29, and he was booked into the Bonneville County Jail that same day on a $75,000 bond. He posted bail and was released soon after.

    He is expected to appear for a preliminary hearing on June 25. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison.

    Though Zaugg has been charged with these crimes, it does not necessarily mean he committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.

  • 2. Idaho Falls man who sexually assaulted a 15-year-old in his Tesla gets a rider

    • 20261027
    • News article
    • East d

    IDAHO FALLS — The two sides of the gallery in a Bonneville County courtroom looked starkly different on Monday, as a 22-year-old Idaho Falls man was sentenced for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl in 2025.

    On one half of the courtroom sat the victim’s close family, including two parents, a stepmother, a sister, a great-grandmother and two others.

    On the other side of the gallery sat well over 40 people who appeared to be in support of Krew Zaugg, who pleaded guilty after being accused of sexually assaulting a minor in his car on May 4, 2025.

    Zaugg was initially charged with two felonies, one for rape of a victim under the age of 16 and another for lewd conduct with a child under 16.

    The case details were sealed by motion of the prosecutors at the outset, so little is known beyond what was said in court.

    As part of a plea agreement in June, Zaugg agreed to plead guilty to an amended felony count of battery with the intent to commit a serious felony, in exchange for the prosecution agreeing to drop the lewd conduct charge.

    The agreement did not include a recommended sentence from either the defense or prosecution, and was not binding on the court, meaning that District Judge Michael Whyte, who presided over the case, did not have to follow it.

    Whyte sentenced Zaugg to a retained jurisdiction, or a “rider” program, where Zaugg will complete a treatment program in prison for up to one year. Once the program is over, Whyte can decide whether to send Zaugg to prison for an underlying sentence of four to 14 years.

    Zaugg is also required to register as a sex offender and pay at least $4,000 in court fines and fees. Whyte ordered Zaugg not to have contact with the victim for 14 years.
    The victim’s family speaks

    The victim, along with four of her close family members, provided letters and statements to the court, outlining how the sexual assault changed her life and caused her heavy trauma.

    According to the victim’s sister, whose statement was read by Pam Millhouse, a victim/witness coordinator for the Bonneville County Prosecutor’s office, the 15-year-old victim came into her bedroom in the middle of the night and described how she had been assaulted on the night of May 4.

    “Looking at you makes me sick. This is not a young man who made a mistake. This was a deliberate and evil act to feel powerful,” said the sister. “I want you to know that my sister, having the courage to stand up for herself against you in court, makes her more powerful and stronger than you will ever be.”

    The victim’s sister told the court that the victim’s grandfather had recently died. Looking for companionship, she says she met Zaugg on Snapchat and told him she was 15 years old. He took her out that night.

    “Our grandfather had just passed away, and she was lonely and vulnerable, looking for a friend,” said the sister. “No girl should go out seeking a friend to come home traumatized permanently.”

    Next to speak was the victim’s stepmother, who detailed the change she has seen in the victim since surviving the sexual assault.

    “Fun experiences for a young girl became things she was too scared to do,” said the stepmother. “She also developed bulimia after what happened to her.”

    The stepmother detailed her anger towards Zaugg, describing her thoughts about the fact that he had recently come back from a Latter-day Saint mission when he assaulted the victim.

    “What also bothers me is that Krew was a missionary and a member of the LDS church. He devoted part of his life to serving the Lord and representing Christian values,” said the stepmother. “Yet, his actions were the complete opposite of what those values stand for. Being a missionary or a religious man doesn’t make someone a good person, and it shouldn’t excuse what they’ve done.”

    The victim’s father spoke next, recounting the hardship he has watched his daughter go through over the past year and a half.

    “This type of crime is not victimless,” said the father. “The scars that it causes are lifelong. Even with therapy, which she has had and seen improvement with, the trauma will endure.”

    The victim’s mother then spoke, during which Zaugg’s supporters in the gallery seemed shocked by the accusations and statements she made about the brutality of the crime.

    “If this had happened to Krew Zaugg, if he was the victim of the brutal and violent rape that my daughter endured, Krew’s parents would be paying the most top-notch attorneys to get the perpetrator sent to life in prison or sent to the firing squad,” said the victim’s mother. “This has caused my daughter to be socially withdrawn and highly hypervigilant (and given her) severe trust issues with any man, and panic attacks.”

    According to the victim’s mother, during the attack, the girl was unable to get out of the car because the Tesla’s doors were locked, and she was unfamiliar with that type of car, being that it was a newer model.

    “I do not want to repeat all the torturous things he forced upon my child to engage in with him. All I will say is it was brutal, it was violent and highly forceful, which left her with bruises, physical marks and all,” said the mother. “I know the people sitting in this room right now have not seen those pictures, nor do they know much about this case except what they are told by their friends or Krew himself.”

    She also indicated that her daughter has been harassed online by Zaugg’s family and friends.

    “All of these things caused a ton of severe emotional distress to my daughter,” said the mother. “They know this, and they continue to do it. She can’t seem to get away from it.”

    Millhouse then read the last letter to the court, which was written by the victim.

    “When we made plans to hang out, I did not expect anything like that to happen that night,” said the victim. “I took it as a chance to get out of the house with a friend because I had not left the house since my grandfather passed.”

    The victim detailed the mental and physical anguish she has experienced since the assault.

    “I had to sleep on the couch because it was closer to my family. I had to take Benadryl to sleep without waking up panicking,” said the victim. “I am also now a joke to half of this town because of what you did. People are commenting on articles, making literal jokes about a 15-year-old child who got hurt by a grown man.”
    Lawyers’ recommendations

    The prosecution recommended a prison sentence of four years fixed and 16 years indeterminate, which would be a potential 20-year sentence for Zaugg, stating that he was college-aged and the victim was a freshman in high school.

    “At best, this defendant didn’t care if the victim was a minor,” said prosecutor Steven Haderlie. “At worst, he was seeking out a minor.”

    According to Haderlie, the victim clearly told Zaugg that she was 15 years old in a Snapchat conversation before they met in person.

    “He claims that he thought she was joking about that. But wouldn’t that have been the perfect time, even if he thought she was joking, to say, ‘Haha, actually, how old are you?'” said Haderlie.

    Haderlie stated that Zaugg’s sentence needs to create deterrence for others who may choose to have sex with underage children, no matter the age difference.

    “At trial, we would have shown that force was involved,” said Haderlie. “Just because someone has done some good things in their life, doesn’t mean that they might not also have made a very terrible choice.”

    Michael Winchester, Zaugg’s defense attorney, argued that Zaugg should receive a less severe sentence due to his low likelihood of reoffending and his lack of criminal history.

    “We’re not questioning that there is real harm here. That is not in dispute. We are not questioning that the conduct was bad,” said Winchester. “We’re just saying the facts in this case don’t warrant the death penalty, and they don’t warrant a 20-year sentence.”

    Winchester noted that while he recommended probation or a rider, he knows those options are not always popular with the public.

    “I understand that the public doesn’t understand how these things work very well, and I understand that puts us all in a tough position, especially when we’ve got the news here,” said Winchester. “Krew is not walking away from this unscathed. Publicly, he’s been subject to quite a bit of humiliation.”
    Zaugg speaks

    According to Zaugg during his statement to the court, on the night of the crime, he had just broken up with his girlfriend and was looking for comfort.

    “I was feeling sad, lonely and miserable. Instead of dealing with those things in a mature and responsible way, I made an impulsive decision,” said Zaugg. “I opened up a snap from a girl online without taking the time to really get to know her, asking her questions or understanding her circumstances.”

    Zaugg stated that he did not intend to hurt the victim and admitted he initially lied to investigators when he was first arrested.

    “Because I was scared, I made another decision I regret. I wasn’t completely honest with the police at the beginning,” said Zaugg. “I should have had the courage to tell the truth right away, regardless of how afraid I was, or what the consequences might be.”

    Referring to his future, Zaugg asked the court to “consider the person I’m looking to become.”

    “I know I cannot change the past as much as I wish I could go back and make different decisions. I can’t. But I can choose what kind of man I can become,” said Zaugg. “I know that one night of poor decisions does not have to define the rest of my life, but I also know that it is my responsibility to make sure it doesn’t.”

    Before pronouncing the sentence, Whyte addressed the allegations of Zaugg’s supporters harassing the victim online.

    “Having support that is casting aspersions on the other side is not very supportive. So if you are aware of any of your friends trying to assist you by talking poorly about the victim or the victim’s family, I fully expect you to shut it down,” said Whyte. “The term ‘victim’ is used for a reason. That person was a victim of your actions.”

    Whyte also addressed multiple aspects of Zaugg’s story that both lean in his favor and against him when determining the ruling, such as, according to Whyte, Zaugg having the lowest LSI score he had ever seen, at only 3.

    An LSI score is derived from an assessment used in the criminal justice system to evaluate someone’s risk of reoffending.

    “What you did was horrible. You can’t take it back, you can’t fix it. All you can do is try and make you a better person, and you move forward, and hope that the victim is able to somehow find peace,” Whyte said.

  • 3. CR10-25-05776 | State of Idaho Plaintiff, vs. Krew Mario Zaugg Defendant

    • 20250529
    • News article
    • Idaho Court Records

    Case Information

    CR10-25-05776 | State of Idaho Plaintiff, vs. Krew Mario Zaugg Defendant.

    Case Number
    CR10-25-05776

    Court
    Bonneville County District Court

    Judicial Officer
    Whyte, Michael J.

    File Date
    05/29/2025

    Case Type
    Criminal

    Case Status
    Active - Pending
    Party

    State
    State of Idaho

    Active Attorneys
    Lead Attorney
    Haderlie, Steven Jay

    Inactive Attorneys
    Attorney
    Neal, Randolph Brian
    Attorney
    Davis, Scott James
    Attorney
    Harris, Lou Gehrig
    Attorney
    Linning, Leighton George

    Defendant
    Zaugg, Krew Mario

    DOB
    XX/XX/2003

    Active Attorneys
    Lead Attorney
    Winchester, Michael F.

    Retained

    Inactive Attorneys
    Attorney
    Smith, Curtis Reed

    Retained
    Charge
    Charges
    Zaugg, Krew Mario
    Description Statute Level Date
    1 Battery With Intent to Commit a Serious Felony I18-911 Felony 05/04/2025
    2 Children-Lewd Conduct with Child Under 16 I18-1508 Felony 05/04/2025
    Bond Settings

    Setting Date
    5/29/2025
    Bond

    Bond Type Bond Number Bond Amount Current Bond Status
    Surety Bond 100-88073274 $75,000.00 Exonerated
    Disposition Events

    07/09/2026 Plea

    Judicial Officer
    Whyte, Michael J.
    1
    Battery With Intent to Commit a Serious Felony

    Guilty

    09/15/2025 Plea

    Judicial Officer
    Whyte, Michael J.
    1
    Battery With Intent to Commit a Serious Felony

    Not Guilty
    2
    Children-Lewd Conduct with Child Under 16

    Not Guilty

    10/26/2026 Disposition

    Judicial Officer
    Whyte, Michael J.
    1
    Battery With Intent to Commit a Serious Felony

    Guilty (Plea Agreement)

    06/17/2026 Disposition

    Judicial Officer
    Whyte, Michael J.
    2
    Children-Lewd Conduct with Child Under 16

    Dismissed on Motion of Prosecutor

    10/26/2026 Felony Sentence
    1
    Battery With Intent to Commit a Serious Felony

    Felony Sentence

    Confinement

    Type: State Prison

    Facility: Idaho Department of Correction

    Effective Date: 10/26/2026

    Determinate: 4 Years

    Indeterminate: 14 Years

    Retained Jurisdiction

    Retained Jurisdiction: 365 Days

    Pre-Sentence Credit for Time Served

    Fee Totals

    $245.50

    $2,000.00

    $100.00

    Fee Totals

    $2,345.50

    Events and Hearings

    05/29/2025 Initial Appearance - Felony Magistrate Court

    Original Type
    Initial Appearance - Felony Magistrate Court

    Judicial Officer(s)
    Dewey, John, Workman, Jacob

    Hearing Time
    1:00 PM

    Result
    Hearing Held

    05/29/2025 New Case - Criminal

    05/29/2025 Warrant/Det Order Issued - Arrest

    05/29/2025 Criminal Complaint

    05/29/2025 Probable Cause Affidavit in Support of Arrest

    05/29/2025 Pretrial Risk Assessment Filed

    05/29/2025 Court Minutes

    Judicial Officer
    Taylor, Brendon (Magistrate)

    05/29/2025 Notification of Rights

    Judicial Officer
    Taylor, Brendon (Magistrate)

    05/29/2025 Waiver of Time for Preliminary Hearing

    Comment
    VERBAL - Written Waiver of Time for Preliminary Hearing is to be filed as well

    05/29/2025 Sent to Pretrial Supervision

    Judicial Officer
    Taylor, Brendon (Magistrate)

    05/29/2025 Pretrial Release Order

    Judicial Officer
    Taylor, Brendon (Magistrate)

    Comment
    AFTER POSTING BOND

    05/29/2025 No Contact Order

    05/29/2025 Bond Posted - Surety

    05/29/2025 Warrant Returned - Served

    06/02/2025 Notice of Appearance

    06/02/2025 Request for Discovery

    06/02/2025 Subpoena Issued

    Comment
    - A.H.

    06/02/2025 Subpoena Issued

    Comment
    - D.S.

    06/04/2025 Bond Receipt and Court Date

    06/18/2025 Request for Discovery & Alibi Demand

    06/18/2025 Response to Request for Discovery

    06/23/2025 Stipulation to Continue

    Comment
    Preliminary Hearing

    06/23/2025 Order to Continue

    Judicial Officer
    Dennert, Wiley R.

    06/24/2025 Request

    Comment
    to Obtain Approval to Video/Audio Record, Broadcast or Photograph a Court Proceeding

    06/24/2025 Notice of Hearing

    06/25/2025 Preliminary Hearing

    Judicial Officer
    Dennert, Wiley R.

    Hearing Time
    1:00 PM

    Cancel Reason
    Vacated

    06/30/2025 Victim's Rights Notification Form

    07/01/2025 Stipulation to Continue

    Comment
    Preliminary Hearing

    07/03/2025 Pretrial Services Agreement

    07/07/2025 Order to Continue

    Comment
    prelim

    07/09/2025 Preliminary Hearing

    Judicial Officer
    Dewey, John

    Hearing Time
    1:00 PM

    Cancel Reason
    Vacated

    07/09/2025 Subpoena Issued

    Comment
    - K.M.D.

    07/16/2025 Preliminary Hearing

    Original Type
    Preliminary Hearing

    Judicial Officer
    Rawlings, Tawnya

    Hearing Time
    1:00 PM

    Result
    Hearing Continued

    07/16/2025 Request

    Comment
    to Obtain Approval to Video/Audio Record, Broadcast or Photograph a Court Proceeding

    07/16/2025 Court Minutes

    Judicial Officer
    Rawlings, Tawnya

    07/16/2025 Notice of Hearing

    Judicial Officer
    Rawlings, Tawnya

    Comment
    Prelim 8/6- Was not mailed to def. Needs new Address

    07/30/2025 Subpoena Issued

    Comment
    K.M.D.

    08/06/2025 Preliminary Hearing

    Judicial Officer
    Woolf, Andrew Robert

    Hearing Time
    1:00 PM

    Cancel Reason
    Vacated

    08/06/2025 Waiver of Preliminary Hearing

    08/06/2025 Order Waiving Preliminary Hearing (Written Waiver)

    Judicial Officer
    Woolf, Andrew Robert

    08/06/2025 Preliminary Hearing Waived (Bound Over)

    Judicial Officer
    Woolf, Andrew Robert

    08/07/2025 Felony Information Filed

    08/12/2025 Arraignment - District Court

    Original Type
    Arraignment - District Court

    Judicial Officer
    Taylor, Brendon

    Hearing Time
    8:15 AM

    Result
    Hearing Continued
    Parties Present

    Defendant: Zaugg, Krew Mario

    State: State of Idaho

    08/12/2025 Court Minutes

    08/13/2025 Order of Voluntary Disqualification

    Judicial Officer
    Taylor, Brendon

    08/22/2025 Order of Assignment TCA

    08/26/2025 Notice of Hearing

    Comment
    Arraignment 09/15

    09/15/2025 Arraignment - District Court

    Original Type
    Arraignment - District Court

    Judicial Officer
    Whyte, Michael J.

    Hearing Time
    8:45 AM

    Result
    Hearing Held
    Parties Present

    Defendant: Zaugg, Krew Mario

    State: State of Idaho

    09/15/2025 Court Minutes

    09/15/2025 Notice of Hearing

    Comment
    10-14-25

    09/16/2025 Notice of Trial Setting, Final Pre-Trial Conference & Order

    Judicial Officer
    Whyte, Michael J.

    09/17/2025 State's Supplemental Response to Request for Discovery

    09/17/2025 Witness Disclosure

    Comment
    Expert

    09/17/2025 Witness Disclosure

    Comment
    Expert

    09/17/2025 Witness Disclosure

    Comment
    Expert

    09/30/2025 Substitution of Counsel

    10/01/2025 Notice

    Comment
    of Change of Firm Name and Contact Information

    10/03/2025 Motion for Zoom Hearing

    10/08/2025 Order

    Judicial Officer
    Whyte, Michael J.

    Comment
    Granting Motion to Appear via Zoom

    10/14/2025 Status Conference

    Original Type
    Status Conference

    Judicial Officer
    Whyte, Michael J.

    Hearing Time
    09:30 AM

    Result
    Hearing Held

    Comment
    Mr.. Winchester to appear via zoom
    Parties Present

    Defendant: Zaugg, Krew Mario

    Attorney of Record: Winchester, Michael F.

    State: State of Idaho

    10/14/2025 Court Minutes

    10/15/2025 Notice of Trial Setting, Final Pre-Trial Conference & Order

    Judicial Officer
    Whyte, Michael J.

    11/03/2025 Pre-trial Conference

    Judicial Officer(s)
    Tingey, Joel E., Whyte, Michael J.

    Hearing Time
    8:45 AM

    Cancel Reason
    Vacated

    11/03/2025 State's Supplemental Response to Request for Discovery

    Comment
    Second

    11/03/2025 Witness Disclosure

    12/09/2025 Jury Trial

    Judicial Officer
    Whyte, Michael J.

    Hearing Time
    10:00 AM

    Cancel Reason
    Vacated

    01/14/2026 Motion to Continue

    Comment
    motion to continue jury trial

    01/20/2026 Pre-trial Conference

    Original Type
    Pre-trial Conference

    Judicial Officer
    Whyte, Michael J.

    Hearing Time
    09:04 AM

    Result
    Hearing Held

    Comment
    JT set on Lemhi date. Motion to Continue JT
    Parties Present

    Defendant: Zaugg, Krew Mario

    Attorney of Record: Winchester, Michael F.

    State: State of Idaho

    01/20/2026 Court Minutes

    01/20/2026 Notice of Hearing

    01/21/2026 Waiver of Speedy Trial

    02/17/2026 Jury Trial

    Judicial Officer
    Whyte, Michael J.

    Hearing Time
    10:00 AM

    Cancel Reason
    Vacated

    03/06/2026 Mediation Status

    03/09/2026 Status Conference

    Original Type
    Status Conference

    Judicial Officer
    Whyte, Michael J.

    Hearing Time
    09:30 AM

    Result
    Hearing Held
    Parties Present

    Defendant: Zaugg, Krew Mario

    Attorney of Record: Winchester, Michael F.

    State: State of Idaho

    03/09/2026 Court Minutes

    03/11/2026 Notice of Trial Setting, Final Pre-Trial Conference & Order

    Judicial Officer
    Whyte, Michael J.

    05/14/2026 Witness Disclosure

    Comment
    Expert

    05/18/2026 Pre-trial Conference

    Original Type
    Pre-trial Conference

    Judicial Officer
    Whyte, Michael J.

    Hearing Time
    09:00 AM

    Result
    Hearing Held
    Parties Present

    Defendant: Zaugg, Krew Mario

    Attorney of Record: Winchester, Michael F.

    State: State of Idaho

    05/18/2026 Court Minutes

    05/19/2026 Notice of Hearing

    06/05/2026 Mediation Status Report - Agreement

    Judicial Officer
    Shindurling, Jon J.

    06/08/2026 Status Conference

    Original Type
    Status Conference

    Judicial Officer
    Whyte, Michael J.

    Hearing Time
    09:05 AM

    Result
    Hearing Held
    Parties Present

    Defendant: Zaugg, Krew Mario

    Attorney of Record: Winchester, Michael F.

    State: State of Idaho

    06/08/2026 Notice of Hearing

    Comment
    06/22/26

    06/08/2026 Court Minutes

    06/15/2026 Plea Agreement

    06/15/2026 Motion

    Comment
    to Amend Information

    06/15/2026 Amended Information

    Comment
    Prosecuting Attorneys Information

    06/15/2026 Motion

    Comment
    Motion to Dismiss

    06/17/2026 Order

    Judicial Officer
    Whyte, Michael J.

    Comment
    to Amend Information

    06/17/2026 Order Dismissing Charges on Motion of Prosecutor

    Judicial Officer
    Whyte, Michael J.

    Comment
    Count II

    06/17/2026 Written Plea of Guilty

    06/22/2026 Change of Plea

    Original Type
    Change of Plea

    Judicial Officer
    Whyte, Michael J.

    Hearing Time
    09:32 AM

    Result
    Hearing Continued
    Parties Present

    Defendant: Zaugg, Krew Mario

    Attorney of Record: Winchester, Michael F.

    State: State of Idaho

    06/23/2026 Jury Trial

    Judicial Officer
    Whyte, Michael J.

    Hearing Time
    10:00 AM

    Cancel Reason
    Vacated

    06/23/2026 Court Minutes

    06/23/2026 Notice of Hearing

    Comment
    06/29/26

    06/29/2026 Change of Plea

    Original Type
    Change of Plea

    Judicial Officer
    Whyte, Michael J.

    Hearing Time
    11:15 AM

    Result
    Hearing Held
    Parties Present

    Defendant: Zaugg, Krew Mario

    Attorney of Record: Winchester, Michael F.

    State: State of Idaho

    06/29/2026 Court Minutes

    06/29/2026 Notice of Hearing

    07/09/2026 Change of Plea

    Original Type
    Change of Plea

    Judicial Officer
    Whyte, Michael J.

    Hearing Time
    09:30 AM

    Result
    Hearing Held
    Parties Present

    Defendant: Zaugg, Krew Mario

    Attorney of Record: Winchester, Michael F.

    State: State of Idaho

    07/09/2026 Motion

    Comment
    to Amend

    07/09/2026 Order Allowing Defense Counsel to Attend PSI Interview

    Judicial Officer
    Whyte, Michael J.

    Comment
    to Amend Information

    07/09/2026 Amended Information

    07/09/2026 Court Minutes

    07/09/2026 Notice of Hearing

    07/10/2026 Order for Pre-Sentence Report (PSI)

    Judicial Officer
    Whyte, Michael J.

    07/10/2026 Order for Psychosexual Evaluation

    Judicial Officer
    Whyte, Michael J.

    08/26/2026 Motion to Continue

    Comment
    Sentencing Hearing

    08/26/2026 Notice

    Comment
    of No Objection

    08/28/2026 Order to Continue

    Judicial Officer
    Whyte, Michael J.

    Comment
    Sentencing Hearing

    09/17/2026 Notice

    Comment
    State's Notice of Assignment

    09/21/2026 Sentencing

    Judicial Officer(s)
    Tingey, Joel E., Whyte, Michael J.

    Hearing Time
    02:00 PM

    Cancel Reason
    Vacated

    09/24/2026 Stipulation to Continue

    Comment
    Sentencing Hearing

    09/30/2026 Order to Continue

    Judicial Officer
    Whyte, Michael J.

    Comment
    Sentencing

    09/30/2026 Notice of Hearing

    10/01/2026 Pre-Sentence Report

    10/08/2026 Sentencing

    Judicial Officer
    Whyte, Michael J.

    Hearing Time
    1:30 PM

    Cancel Reason
    Vacated

    10/20/2026 Memorandum

    Comment
    Defendant's Sentencing

    10/20/2026 Motion to Redact or Seal Newly Filed Records

    10/21/2026 Order

    Judicial Officer
    Whyte, Michael J.

    Comment
    to Seal Records

    10/23/2026 Request

    Judicial Officer
    Whyte, Michael J.

    Comment
    to Obtain Approval to Video/Audio Record, Broadcast of Photograph a Court Proceeding GRANTED

    10/26/2026 Sentencing

    Original Type
    Sentencing

    Judicial Officer
    Whyte, Michael J.

    Hearing Time
    02:30 PM

    Result
    Hearing Held
    Parties Present

    Defendant: Zaugg, Krew Mario

    Attorney of Record: Winchester, Michael F.

    State: State of Idaho

    Prosecuting Attorney: Haderlie, Steven Jay

    10/26/2026 Court Minutes

    10/28/2026 Bond Exonerated

    Financial

    Zaugg, Krew Mario
    Total Financial Assessment
    $4,345.50
    Total Payments and Credits
    $0.00
    10/28/2026 Transaction Assessment $2,345.50
    10/28/2026 Transaction Assessment $2,000.00

  • 4. Krew Mario Zaugg

    • 20261026
    • News article
    • Recently Booked

    Krew Mario Zaugg

    Krew Mario Zaugg was booked in Bonneville County, Idaho on October 26, 2026.
    Booking photo from Bonneville County, Idaho
    Name: Krew Mario Zaugg
    Booking ID: 154821
    Booking Date: October 26, 2026 4:32 PM
    Age at Booking: 23
    Gender: M
    Race: W
    Height: 5 ft 11in(s)
    Arresting Agency: IDBONNEVILLESO
    79 views
    Reported Charges

    Charge Code: 18-911
    Charge Description: BATTERY WITH INTENT TO COMMIT A SERIOUS FELONY

  • 5. Local Man Charged With Sexual Assault Gets A Rider

    • 20261028
    • News article
    • KPVI 6

    An Idaho Falls man was sentenced for sexual assault on a minor in a Tesla, gets a rider.

    22-year-old Krew Zaugg was charged in 2025 with sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl.

    Zaugg was charged with two felonies, one for rape of a victim under the age of 16 and another for lewd conduct with a child under 16.

    He agreed to plea "guilty" in exchanged for dropping the lewd conduct charge.

    He was sentenced to a rider where he will complete a treatment program in prison up to one year.

  • 6. Sobbing missionary admits he raped girl, 15, in Tesla because he was going through a breakup... as judge who let him get married while on bail allows him to walk free

    • 20261028
    • News article
    • Daily Mail

    A Latter-day Saint missionary who tearfully admitted to sexually assaulting a teenage girl because he felt 'miserable and sad' after splitting from his now-wife has been spared from serving any time behind bars.

    Krew Zaugg, 22, of Idaho, appeared in Bonneville County court on Monday, where he was formally sentenced for sexually assaulting an unidentified 15-year-old girl inside his Tesla last year, East Idaho News reported.

    He was arrested less than a month after the attack, facing felony charges of rape of a victim under 16 and lewd conduct with a child under 16. He was released on a $75,000 bond that same day.

    Just six months later, Zaugg married his fiancée, Meriden Zaugg, whom he had proposed to a month earlier, according to photos shared by his mother on Instagram.

    The photos showed the couple tying the knot on a beach surrounded by towering cliffs and rock formations, with Zaugg placing a gold band set with a huge diamond on his bride's finger as loved ones watched.

    'We adore her. What a blessing she is to our son - and to all of us!' his mother captioned the post. 'We couldn’t be happier for these two and the wonderful life ahead of them!'

    Now married, Zaugg appeared in court on Monday, where he blamed his relationship troubles for the sexual attack.

    He told the judge he had broken up with his girlfriend-turned-wife that night and, feeling 'lonely and missing her,' made an 'impulsive decision.'

    'I was feeling sad, lonely and miserable. Instead of dealing with those things in a mature and responsible way, I made an impulsive decision,' Zaugg said, East Idaho News reported.

    'I opened up a snap from a girl online without taking the time to really get to know her, asking her questions or understanding her circumstances,' he added.

    Zaugg's defense attorney cited his clean criminal record in arguing for a more lenient sentence.

    Prosecutors, however, stressed that he was college-aged while the girl was just a freshman in high school, urging the court to consider a sentence of up to 20 years.

    District Judge Michael Whyte ultimately declined to hand over a lengthy prison term, instead requiring Zaugg to enter a 'rider program' where he will undergo treatment in custody for up to a year.

    He will also register as a sex offender, pay at least $4,000 in court fines and fees and have no contact with the victim for 14 years.

    'What you did was horrible. You can’t take it back, you can’t fix it,' Whyte said, according to the outlet. 'All you can do is try and make you a better person, and you move forward, and hope that the victim is able to somehow find peace.'

    The ruling comes after a June plea deal, in which Zaugg agreed to admit guilt to an amended felony battery charge, with prosecutors dropping the separate lewd conduct charge.

    But with neither side recommending a specific sentence, the plea deal left Judge Whyte free to decide Zaugg’s fate. After the program, Whyte can decide whether to send him to serve his underlying sentence of four to 14 years behind bars.

    'If this had happened to Krew Zaugg, if he was the victim of the brutal and violent rape that my daughter endured, Krew’s parents would be paying the most top-notch attorneys to get the perpetrator sent to life in prison or sent to the firing squad,' the victim's mother said, East Idaho News reported.

    'This has caused my daughter to be socially withdrawn and highly hypervigilant given her severe trust issues with any man, and have panic attacks,' she added.

    In court on Monday, Zaugg further recounted his version of events from the night of May 4, 2025, claiming he had been seeking comfort after his brief breakup.

    While insisting he never intended to hurt the girl, he admitted he had lied to investigators when he was first taken into custody.

    'I was scared, I made another decision I regret. I wasn’t completely honest with the police at the beginning,' Zaugg said. 'I should have had the courage to tell the truth right away.'

    Meanwhile, the victim and four of her relatives shared letters detailing the devastating impact the sexual assault had on the teen's life.

    In a statement read to the court by Pam Millhouse, a victim coordinator with the Booneville County Prosecutor's Office, the girl's sister said their grandfather had recently passed away when the teen met Zaugg.

    The 'vulnerable' girl had been looking for a friend when she connected with him on Snapchat. She told him she was 15, but he still took her out that night.

    'No girl should go out seeking a friend to come home traumatized permanently,' her sister said, recalling how the teenager came into her bedroom in the middle of the night and told her she had been assaulted.

    'Looking at you makes me sick. This is not a young man who made a mistake. This was a deliberate and evil act to feel powerful,' she said.

    The victim's mother told the court that her daughter was trapped inside the Tesla during the attack, unable to figure out how to unlock the doors of the unfamiliar newer model.

    'I do not want to repeat all the torturous things he forced upon my child to engage in with him. All I will say is it was brutal, it was violent and highly forceful, which left her with bruises, physical marks and all,' her letter read.

    'I know the people sitting in this room right now have not seen those pictures, nor do they know much about this case except what they are told by their friends or Krew himself.'

    The girl's stepmother voiced her outrage at Zaugg, pointing out that he had recently returned from a Latter-day Saint mission to share the gospel with others.

    'What also bothers me is that Krew was a missionary and a member of the LDS church. He devoted part of his life to serving the Lord and representing Christian values,' she said, according to the outlet.

    'Yet, his actions were the complete opposite of what those values stand for,' she added. 'Being a missionary or a religious man doesn’t make someone a good person, and it shouldn’t excuse what they’ve done.'

    Millhouse then read the final letter submitted to the court, a powerful statement written by the victim herself.

    'When we made plans to hang out, I did not expect anything like that to happen that night. I took it as a chance to get out of the house with a friend because I had not left the house since my grandfather passed,' the teen wrote.

    'I had to sleep on the couch because it was closer to my family. I had to take Benadryl to sleep without waking up panicking,' she added.

    'I am also now a joke to half of this town because of what you did. People are commenting on articles, making literal jokes about a 15-year-old child who got hurt by a grown man.'

    Prosecutor Steven Haderlie called for Zaugg to be sent to prison, telling the court: 'At best, this defendant didn’t care if the victim was a minor. At worst, he was seeking out a minor.'

    Haderlie also argued that the teen had made her age clear to Zaugg, but said he brushed it off as a joke. He urged the judge to impose a sentence that would deter others from having sex with minors, regardless of the age difference.

    'At trial, we would have shown that force was involved,' the prosecutor said, East Idaho News reported. 'Just because someone has done some good things in their life, doesn’t mean that they might not also have made a very terrible choice.'

    But defense attorney Michael Winchester argued that Zaugg deserved leniency because he was unlikely to reoffend.

    'We’re not questioning that there is real harm here. That is not in dispute. We are not questioning that the conduct was bad,' he said. 'We’re just saying the facts in this case don’t warrant the death penalty, and they don’t warrant a 20-year sentence.'

    Winchester recommended probation or a rider program, though acknowledged that such options are not always popular with the public, who may prefer to see defendants behind bars.

    'Krew is not walking away from this unscathed. Publicly, he’s been subject to quite a bit of humiliation,' he said.

    In his own plea, Zaugg asked the judge to 'consider the person I'm looking to become.'

    'I know I cannot change the past as much as I wish I could go back and make different decisions. I can’t. But I can choose what kind of man I can become,' he said, according to the outlet.

    'I know that one night of poor decisions does not have to define the rest of my life, but I also know that it is my responsibility to make sure it doesn’t.'

    Judge Whyte cited Zaugg's 'remarkably' low LSI score of three, which he said was the lowest he had ever encountered. The assessment is used by the criminal justice system to gauge the likelihood of reoffending.
    Tesla

  • 7. Zaugg, Krew Mario Order Number NCO-2025-002495 Case Number CR10-25-05776

    • 20250529
    • News article
    • Idaho Court Records

    Zaugg, Krew Mario

    Order Number
    NCO-2025-002495

    Case Number
    CR10-25-05776

    Location
    Bonneville County Magistrate Court
    Party Information

    Respondent
    Zaugg, Krew

    Current Address
    590 Castlerock Lane
    Idaho Falls, ID 83404

    Hair
    Brown

    Eyes
    Brown

    DOB
    XX/XX/2003
    Protection Order Information

    Protection Order Number
    NCO-2025-002495

    Status
    Outstanding

    Type
    No Contact Order in Criminal Case

    Issued Date
    05/29/2025

    Expires
    05/29/2028

    Case Number
    CR10-25-05776

Documents

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Timeline

  • 2003
    Born

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