A 45-year-old Chubbuck man who once served as a local leader in a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ward has signed a plea agreement that would substantially reduce the charges against him in a child sexual abuse case — and allow him to avoid placement on the sex offender registry entirely.
Virgil Larson, of Chubbuck, was originally charged with six counts of child sexual abuse following an investigation that began in the summer of 2024. Under the terms of the agreement he signed on May 26, those charges would be reduced to six counts of felony injury to a child, a serious offense but one that does not carry mandatory sex offender registration requirements.
How the Investigation Unfolded
The case originated on July 3, 2024, when the Chubbuck Police Department received a tip from Kirton McConkie, a law firm based in Lehi, Utah. That tip led investigators to identify several underage teenage boys as potential victims of sexual abuse alleged to have occurred at Larson’s home.
On September 17, 2024, officers from both the Chubbuck and Pocatello Police Departments executed a search warrant at Larson’s residence. He surrendered to authorities the same day and was booked into the Bannock County Jail. The probable cause affidavit filed in connection with the case was sealed to protect the identities of the victims. Larson initially faced five felony counts; a sixth count was added as the investigation continued.
Terms of the Plea Agreement
Each count of felony injury to a child carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000. Despite the severity of those potential penalties, the prosecution has agreed to recommend a suspended jail sentence in favor of probation, with a cap of no more than 30 years of supervision. The deal also means Larson would not be required to register as a sex offender — a significant departure from what a conviction on the original child sexual abuse charges would have required.
Larson is scheduled to formally enter his guilty pleas at a hearing set for July 6, 2026. However, the agreement is not yet final. The judge presiding over the case is not obligated to accept it. If the court rejects the terms, Larson would retain the right to withdraw his guilty pleas and take the case to trial.
If the judge does accept the agreement, the case would proceed directly to a sentencing hearing, where the court would weigh the prosecution’s recommendations alongside any other factors permitted under Idaho law.
Community Reaction and Ongoing Concerns
The case has drawn attention in part because of Larson’s role as a local ecclesiastical leader, a position of trust that would have given him regular access to youth members of his congregation. The investigation was initiated not by a report to local authorities but through a tip routed from a law firm, raising questions about how such cases surface within faith community structures.
The Bannock County Prosecutor’s Office has not publicly commented on the specifics of the charging decision or the rationale for the reduced charges. Plea agreements in cases involving alleged crimes against children are not uncommon, particularly when they secure guilty pleas and protect victims from the additional trauma of a trial.
The outcome of the July 6 hearing will determine whether this case moves toward sentencing under the negotiated terms or returns to the trial track. Bannock County residents following the case should expect a ruling on the plea’s acceptance at that appearance.
For coverage of other Bannock County court developments, including an ongoing investigation into Portneuf Valley Soccer Club finances being examined by the Bannock County Prosecutor’s Office, visit our local courts page. Readers interested in how courts handle competency and charging decisions may also find context in a related case out of Twin Falls, where a jeweler saw charges dropped following a competency ruling.
What Comes Next
Larson’s next scheduled court date is July 6, 2026, when he is expected to formally change his plea. At that point, the judge will have the opportunity to accept or reject the agreement. If accepted, a sentencing date will be set. Bannock County News will continue to monitor the proceedings and report on any significant developments.