Idaho Briefs March 13, 2011

Man gets life for kidnapping, rape

BOISE - A 47-year-old long-haul trucker from Florida who in 2003 kidnapped and raped an Idaho woman he abducted in Mountain Home and later dumped on the side of Interstate 84 about 13 miles from the Oregon border has been sentenced to life in prison.

The Idaho Statesman reported that Hans Holsopple of Deltona, Fla., was sentenced Friday to two life sentences in 4th District Court.

Holsopple in October pleaded guilty to first-degree kidnapping and rape.

Prosecutors said Holsopple's son, 27-year-old Douglas James Steinemer, also participated in the kidnapping and rape.

Police said the two were implicated after a hit from the national FBI DNA database in January 2010 identified Steinemer, who police say named Holsopple as an accomplice.

Steinemer has pleaded not guilty to kidnapping and rape. His trial is set for July 5.

FBI warns caution for post-disaster donations

BOISE - Federal officials are urging caution for people interested in donating to charities responding to the earthquake and tsunami that devastated part of Japan.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation warned Friday that con artists often prey on donors responding to charity calls in the wake of natural disasters. The warning comes as charities begin reaching out for contributions to help deal with the damage caused by Friday's tsunami.

The Internet Crime Complaint Center said donors should be careful when confronted with unsolicited e-mails asking for credit card information or money transfers.

The center said consumers should never respond to unknown e-mails, and instead try to verify the legitimacy of nonprofits through a simple Internet search.

- The Associated Press