BLACKFOOT — Two local men were recently convicted of felony charges following separate jury trials in Bingham County.

Eric Whitney Jones was convicted on Jan. 17 of one felony count of battery with intent to commit a serious felony, lewd conduct with a minor child following a jury trial presented by Bingham County Prosecuting Attorney Ryan W. Jolley, the Bingham County Prosecutor’s office said in a recent news release.

Jones was charged on July 27, 2023, following investigation by the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office. That investigation revealed Jones had engaged in lewd conduct with a minor child when she was approximately 18-months-old by placing his bare penis on the child when he went to change her, the news release said.

Jones is set to appear in front of Judge Bruce L. Pickett on March 19 for a sentencing hearing at the Bingham County Courthouse, where he faces a potential prison term of up to 20 years and a fine of up to $50,000 fine. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.

“I would like to thank Deputy Stephanie Grisham, Administrative Sergeant Chad Kent, Deputy Kaigan Young, my Chief Deputy Prosecutor Ollie Wimbish and my legal assistants Jodi Allen and Lori Jorgensen for their investigation, help, and assistance as my team during this trial,” Jolley said in the news release.

Following trial, Jones’ bond was revoked and he was remanded back to the custody of the Bingham County Jail where he will remain incarcerated until his sentencing hearing.

On Jan. 25, a separate jury found Devin Howe guilty of grand theft, the Bingham County Prosecutor’s Office said in a news release.

This conviction followed a one-day jury trial presented by Bingham County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jared Anderson.

Howe was represented by his public defender Scott A. Madson. Judge Darren B. Simpson presided over the trial.

Howe was arrested and charged with grand theft after police found him in the stolen vehicle in Teton County and chased him to Wyoming on Dec. 9, 2022, according to the news release.

Bingham County detectives met with Howe in Wyoming where he admitted to detectives that he stole the vehicle because he was cold, authorities said.

Howe’s sentencing is currently scheduled for March 25 in front of judge Simpson.

He faces a penalty of up to 14 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000 fine for his felony conviction.

Howe was sentenced in a Teton County case on June 20,2023 where he pleaded guilty to felony eluding and reckless driving.

He was sentenced to three years in prison of which one year is mandatory.

“I would like to thank Detective Travis Mayne and Corporal Cliff Evans for their excellent police work and assistance on this case,” Bingham County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jared Anderson said in the news release. “I also extend a sincere thanks to my legal assistant Shelley Harris and the other staff and attorneys in our office who contributed to this matter.”