Fruitland woman charged in Vaughan disappearance

Court records show that Wondra was previously arrested in April 2022 and charged with several counts, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon; unlawful possession of a weapon; evidence destruction, alteration or concealment; possession of a controlled substance; and battery.

 She was convicted of felony attempted robbery in 2013, according to court records obtained by KTVB 7 in Boise.

 Wondra’s husband, Stacey James Wondra, 30, was arrested in May 2022 for unlawful possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and is currently being held at the Washington County jail, according to information publicly available on the Washington County website.

 The warrant executed on the Fruitland residence on Friday was based on what police describe as a “very credible tip.”

 Law enforcement officials have responded to over 1,500 tips in the roughly 16 months since Michael’s disappearance.

 “During the course of the investigation, we received information the remains of Michael Vaughan might be found (behind the house) …” said Fruitland Police Chief J.D. Huff on Saturday, according to a KTVB report. “As a result, we obtained a search warrant. We have not found anything yet, but we will continue to excavate in hopes of finding his remains.”

 Huff reportedly told KTVB that the couple living in the home do not own it, and to his knowledge, have no connection to the Vaughan family.

 Crews began excavating the Redwing Street property on Friday, using equipment to remove layers of soil that are being examined for evidence, digging up to four feet down. The crews continued on Monday and returned on Tuesday morning, with police conducting  24-hour surveillance on the property while personnel are not present. Two K-9 dogs were also brought in to assist the investigation, but as of Monday there was no word whether Michael’s remains had been found.

 Investigators believe there are more people who know what happened to Michael Vaughan.

 “We do not believe she (Wondra) is the only person that has knowledge of this, and we will be seeking out those people who could possibly be connected,” Huff said.

 “The state originally asked for a $1 million bond, arguing Wondra is a danger to the public and was already on pre-trial release for a felony charge related to illegally possessing a firearm as a felon,” Idaho News 6 reported on Monday.

 One news report indicated that Wondra is a self-employed taxi driver. A subsequent online search led to the website Bizapedia.com, which listed Sarah Anne Wondra as the registered agent for Faith, Hope and Love Taxi, an Idaho LLC, showing 1102 Redwing St. in Fruitland as its apparent place of business. The website shows Sept. 13, 2022 as the “filing date.”

 “She is a danger to the community, and she fails to abide by the social norms we all expect,” prosecutors argued during Wondra’s bond hearing. “And there are obviously very serious implications in her being aware of his (Michael’s) whereabouts this whole time.”

 Should Wondra post bond, she would be required to set up GPS monitoring with pre-trial services prior to release. She would also be required to stay in Idaho, remain sober, stay in contact with her attorney, and appear in court for future hearings. Wondra has a status conference set for Nov. 21 at 10 a.m. and preliminary hearing set for Nov. 22 at 9 a.m. in Payette County.

 Investigative reports and affidavits in the case have now been sealed by the court, which cited the ongoing investigation and concerns of jury contamination if the case goes to trial. 

 A spokesperson for Michael’s family told the Idaho Statesman in an email statement that the family is asking for privacy and support.

 “They are dealing with very difficult news that’s ongoing and unfolding,” said Lana Westbrook, who noted that officials have instructed the public to avoid the investigation area and the family’s home.