A Sixth Judicial District judge has cleared the path for a full trial against a former Chubbuck congregation leader, throwing out a negotiated plea that would have shielded him from sex offender registration and likely kept him out of prison. Virgil Larson, 45, now faces six felony counts of lewd conduct with a minor under 16 — charges that carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment if jurors return guilty verdicts on all counts.
Judge Robert Naftz issued the rejection Monday. The decision locks in a trial date of January 12, 2027, in what has become one of the more closely watched criminal cases in Bannock County in recent years.
Terms of the Rejected Agreement
The proposed deal would have drastically scaled back the legal jeopardy Larson was facing. Rather than standing trial on six lewd conduct felonies, he would have pleaded to a single count of felony injury to a child — a far less serious charge under Idaho law. Equally notable, the agreement contained language exempting Larson from mandatory sex offender registration, a consequence that Idaho law normally imposes on those convicted of crimes involving the sexual abuse of children.
Prosecutors, for their part, had indicated plans to recommend a suspended prison sentence paired with probation lasting up to 30 years. Judge Naftz reviewed the proposed arrangement and declined to approve it, sending the case to trial instead.
How Authorities First Learned of the Allegations
The investigation traces back to July 3, 2024, when Chubbuck Police received information from Kirton McConkie, a Lehi, Utah-based law firm that serves as legal counsel for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That tip pointed investigators toward multiple underage teenage boys who may have been sexually abused at Larson’s home.
Larson had held a position of trust within his local LDS ward, serving as a leader and counselor to congregation members. Officers from both Chubbuck and Pocatello Police departments carried out a search warrant at his residence on September 17, 2024. Larson surrendered to authorities that same day and was processed into the Bannock County Jail.
Prosecutors initially filed five felony counts of sexual abuse of a child under the age of 16 against Larson. A sixth count was later added as the investigation continued to develop. Authorities ultimately identified six young members of Larson’s congregation as alleged victims.
What Comes Next
The collapse of plea negotiations means Larson will stand before a jury on all six original felony charges. His trial is scheduled to begin January 12, 2027, in the Sixth Judicial District, which encompasses Bannock County. A conviction across all six counts would expose Larson to a potential life sentence under Idaho law.
For additional background on earlier proceedings in this case, see Bannock County Judge Throws Out Plea Deal for Chubbuck LDS Youth Leader Charged With Child Abuse. Bannock County News will continue reporting on this case as the January 2027 trial date approaches.