IDAHO FALLS — A local man will serve prison time for stealing more than $200,000 from Riverbend Communications.

    Ryan D. Thueson was sentenced for grand theft on Tuesday and will have to serve at least two years in prison with the     possibility of eight, said Bonneville County Prosecuting Attorney Bruce L. Pickett. He will also have to pay $228,500 in restitution.

    “Based upon (the amount) of money stolen and the criminal thinking, we felt prison was appropriate,” Pickett said Tuesday, adding that Thueson was immediately taken into custody following the sentencing.

    Working through 78 Productions, Thueson accepted funds from Riverbend Communications to bring country performers Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood and Lady Antebellum to the area, authorities have said. The funds were supposed to be placed in a bank escrow account and then used to secure the performers’ appearance, but Thueson stole the money and never made any genuine efforts to bring the performers to the area.

    In a statement released Tuesday, Riverbend Communications officials said they are pleased with Judge Joel E. Tingey’s ruling, and the efforts of prosecutors and detectives.

    “This was a complicated investigation of an elaborate scheme to steal nearly a quarter million dollars, involving fraud, forged documents, faked phone calls, fictitious email accounts, and face to face lies and deceit,” according to the statement, which adds that Thueson “stole and apparently wasted” the funds that their employees worked hard to earn.

    Riverbend Communications officials say fans, patrons, listeners, clients, advertisers and business partners trust them to provide good radio programming, credible advertising and first-class events.

    “Mr. Thueson breached that trust when he committed his crimes. The loss of money is hard — really hard — but perhaps most troubling is the loss of trust that we once took for granted,” according to the statement. “We appreciate the support of the community, our clients and business partners, and our fans. Despite the loss and the damage caused by Mr. Thueson’s actions, Riverbend Communications is committed to serving this community, and we look forward to bringing some great shows and entertainment to East Idaho in the future.”