Founder of Pocatello nonprofit faces child sex charges, again
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POCATELLO — The founder of a Pocatello nonprofit organization is facing felony charges involving alleged sexual abuse and exploitation of a child.
The organization is the Rise and Respond Foundation, established to support first responders and their families.
EastIdahoNews.com has learned that Samuel Ferrell, 36, also known as Samuel David Layne Ferrell, was charged in Ada County on April 16, 2026, on three felonies, according to court records.
The charges include:
- Sexual abuse of a child under the age of 16
- Knowingly distributing sexually exploitative material involving a child
- Preparing false evidence
The probable cause affidavit alleges that Ferrell possessed images of the minor of an erotic nature and communicated through text messages to encourage sexual conduct.
The complaint alleges that Ferrell knowingly and willfully committed sexual exploitation of a child by causing, inducing, or permitting a child under the age of 16 to engage in or be used for explicit sexual conduct for the purpose of producing or making Snapchat messages that exploited the child.
Also, Ferrell allegedly, along with another individual, knowingly prepared a false or antedated document “for fraudulent or deceitful purposes in a proceeding, inquiry or investigation authorized or permitted by law” around April 15 in Ada County. No other details on this charge were given in court documents.
Ferrell’s criminal history surfaces
In October, EastIdahoNews.com published a story about the grand opening of the Rise and Respond Foundation at 353 East Lander, a large event that featured a ribbon-cutting with then-Mayor Brian Blad.
The organization was highlighted again for holding a fundraiser for the family of a local man who died by suicide.
Shortly afterward, EastIdahoNews.com was made aware of Ferrell’s criminal history and promptly pulled the stories.
EastIdahoNews.com learned that Ferrell was investigated in 2011 after allegedly passing nine bad checks totaling around $880 at a Twin Falls Costco and for having a relationship with a 14-year-old girl. Court records show he was charged with two felony counts of lewd conduct with a child under 16 and one felony count of check fraud. He later pleaded guilty to one count of lewd conduct with a child under 16, while the remaining charges were resolved through a plea agreement.
Ferrell contacted EastIdahoNews.com, unhappy that the articles about his foundation had been removed. Serving as president of Rise and Respond Foundation at the time of the conversation, he acknowledged his past criminal history, contending that people deserve a second chance and that he wants to give back to the community with the foundation. He said he planned to write a letter about his redemption journey for EastIdahoNews.com within six months.
Ferrell’s current foundation role in question
Ferrell did not write a letter. On June 16, he told EastIdahoNews.com. “I am no longer with the foundation.” He said that instead of writing a letter of redemption, he opted to step down from Rise and Respond Foundation because his past history was dragging the organization down and he wanted to give it a chance to survive.
A current representative of the Rise and Respond Foundation also told EastIdahoNews.com on June 16 that a new person had been named to serve as both president and executive director, adding, “Sam stepped down almost six months ago.”
However, court audio obtained by EastIdahoNews.com from Ferrell’s July 2 preliminary hearing in Ada County raises questions about whether Ferrell remains affiliated with the Rise and Respond Foundation.
During the hearing, Judge David D. Manweiler granted a motion allowing Ferrell’s attorney, Jeffery Nona, to withdraw as counsel of record, citing that the attorney-client relationship had been “irretrievably lost and broken.”
Manweiler then discussed appointing Ferrell a public defender and asked whether he was currently employed.
“I am,” Ferrell responded.
When the judge asked what he did for work, Ferrell replied, “I’m uh … a director for, um … Rise and Respond Foundation.”
Before Rise and Respond in Pocatello, Ferrell, along with his wife, Ashlie, and another woman, formed the Tobin Bolter Memorial Project and Scholarship Program on March 7, 2025, according to records filed with the Idaho Secretary of State. Bolter was a Boise police officer who was shot and killed in the line of duty in 2024. His family has since disavowed the project after learning of Ferrell’s criminal history.
Court records show Ferrell is currently free on a $100,000 bond.
Although Ferrell has been accused of these crimes, he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
Ferrell’s next hearing on this case is scheduled for July 30. The story will be updated as more information becomes available.