Charges against former funeral home owner moved to District Court
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POCATELLO — A preliminary hearing scheduled for Wednesday has been waived, with charges against the now-closed Downard Funeral Home owner remanded to District Court.
Lance Robert Peck, 49, faces 22 felony charges, including tax evasion, furnishing false information and forgery of public records, along with 63 misdemeanor charges. A hearing to determine probable cause for a trial has been waived, and all charges have been passed to District Court.
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Felony charges were filed against Peck earlier this month, two years after police, state investigators and other officials served a search warrant on Downard Funeral Home.
During a search of the building, which has since been demolished with the property turned into a parking lot, officials found 12 unidentified bodies and numerous sets of remains, including dozens of fetuses.
The felony charges came one year after 63 misdemeanor charges were filed.
If found guilty, Peck could face more than 250 years in prison.
With his charges being remanded to District Court, Peck will be arraigned by a 6th District Court Judge. A trial date will be set following the arraignment.
Additionally, Peck has been named in 13 civil suits to date, brought by the loved ones of people whose remains were not properly cared for at Downard.