Local Man in Compass Academy Homicide Faces New Drug Charges in Bingham County

Arrest of 20-Year-Old in Idaho Falls Following Fatal Shooting and Vehicle Crash

A 20-year-old man, Taylor Alan Aughenbaugh, has been arrested following a fatal shooting incident in Idaho Falls. The arrest came after he crashed his vehicle into a pole, with authorities alleging that he was under the influence of alcohol and had illegal drugs on him at the time.

Aughenbaugh faces multiple charges, including felony possession of a controlled substance, as well as several misdemeanors such as possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving under the influence under the age of 21, and unlawful possession of alcohol. He is also facing additional charges related to a fatal shooting that occurred in February 2024 at the Compass Academy parking lot.

In two separate cases, Aughenbaugh has been indicted for felony aggravated battery using a deadly weapon, one count of felony concealing or destroying evidence, and a felony charge of grand theft of a firearm. His latest bond was set at $250,000, following previous bail payments of $100,000 for his initial case and $20,000 for the grand theft case.

Details of the Recent Incident

On July 2, an Idaho State Police (ISP) trooper responded to a crash at the Sage Hill Gas Station on U.S. Highway 91 in Bingham County around 9:30 a.m. The collision involved an impaired driver, and the initial report indicated that a vehicle had hit a pole, with the driver asleep inside the running vehicle.

Upon arrival, a Fort Hall Police officer was already on the scene, speaking with the driver, identified as Aughenbaugh. The officer reported that Aughenbaugh admitted to drinking and mentioned that a gun, a Glock 17, had been removed from the vehicle and placed between the driver’s seat and the console.

The trooper observed a case of beer in the front passenger seat and noted that Aughenbaugh appeared drowsy, with droopy eyelids and bloodshot eyes. He was described as having difficulty keeping his eyes open and experiencing head movements that suggested impairment.

According to court documents, Aughenbaugh stated that he had consumed alcohol the night before and stopped drinking near midnight. When asked about the time, he was told it was 9:45 a.m. He struggled to exit his vehicle and was taken by emergency medical services for evaluation.

After the evaluation, the trooper asked Aughenbaugh if he had sustained any injuries that prevented him from performing tests, to which he replied no. He denied using any illegal substances, though he admitted to using marijuana the previous year. He also denied using meth, cocaine, or heroin.

Discovery of Illegal Substances

Following the tests, the trooper searched the vehicle for open containers due to the smell of alcohol and the presence of alcohol inside. A fanny pack located in the back seat contained a bag of marijuana and a scale with white powder. Aughenbaugh was arrested, and his Miranda Rights were read to him.

When questioned about the scale, Aughenbaugh claimed ignorance. The trooper discovered that Aughenbaugh had a prior felony record, leading to the confiscation of the Glock pistol. However, no charge for unlawful possession of a firearm was added, as the record was from his juvenile years, and the gun was returned to its owner.

Upcoming Court Appearance

Aughenbaugh is scheduled to appear before Magistrate Judge James Howard Barrett Jr. for a preliminary hearing on July 31 at 8:30 a.m. While he has been charged with these crimes, it is important to note that these charges do not necessarily mean he committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

If found guilty, Aughenbaugh could face up to 11 years in prison and a fine of up to $19,000. The situation continues to unfold as authorities investigate further.