4 suspected in kidnapping and hatchet attack have court dates postponed

IDAHO FALLS — All four defendants suspected in a kidnapping that resulted in a man losing his finger will have their preliminary hearing on the same day.

The hearing for Alvaro Oseguera, 33, was originally scheduled for Friday, Sept. 11, but will be Friday, Sept. 18 at the request of the prosecution.

Oseguera is charged with first-degree kidnapping and mayhem in connection with the malicious attack of Brandon Bykonen on Thursday Aug. 27. Judge Steven A. Gardner approved the preliminary hearing be rescheduled to the same date as Oseguera’s co-defendants, Devan Crawford, 23, Ivan Sandoval, 19 and Sarah Oden, 23. All suspects are from Idaho Falls, except Sandoval, who is from Wyoming.

Each has been charged with first-degree kidnapping and mayhem, according to court documents.

Bykonen, the 32-year-old victim, was allegedly blindfolded and driven to an open field in his own car about three miles away from his residence. He was placed face down in the dirt and forced to extend his bound hands out in front of him.

Crawford then allegedly cut off Bykonen’s pinkie finger with a hatchet, court records show. Crawford also deeply cut Bykonen’s hands with a hatchet, officials said.

Bykonen told police that during the attack, Crawford told him it was a result of him “snitching.” Bykonen told also police that Crawford took his wallet and smashed his cell phone.

After the attack, Bykonen was instructed to remain face down in the dirt for five minutes, after which Oden drove Crawford and Sandoval away.

The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office dispatch received a 911 call from a homeowner who had reported an adult male with badly cut hands had arrived at her home.

Court documents show that an injured Bykonen had his hands wrapped in a blanket covered in large amounts of blood.

The victim told detectives that Oseguera, Oden, Sandoval and Crawford were all present when he was taken against his will from his home in Mobile Home Estates in Bonneville County.

Bykonen was treated at East Idaho Regional Medical Center for the loss of his left pinky and severe damage to his right middle finger. His plastic surgeon said he will only have 40 to 50 percent functionality of his right middle finger, according to court documents.

In addition to the four men in custody for kidnapping, 19-year-old Faustino A. Anaya, of Idaho Falls is also wanted for suspected involvement in the kidnapping of Bykonen, according to the Post Register.

Anaya is wanted on a forthcoming warrant for kidnapping and aggravated assault. The Bonneville County Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Anaya.

First-degree kidnapping carries a possible death penalty, though Bonneville County Prosecutor Daniel L. Clark said he does not intend to pursue it.

Crawford was additionally charged with robbery, mayhem and malicious injury to property. Oseguera was also charged with possession of a controlled substance.

Anyone with information about Anaya should call the Sheriff’s Office at 529-1200 or Crime Stoppers at 522-1983 or report to www.ifcrime.org.