Idaho Man Connected To The Disappearance of 2 California Men - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

Idaho Man Connected To The Disappearance of 2 California Men

BONNER COUNTY, Id. - On Tuesday, Idaho and California authorities took Christian Bunty by surprise and arrested him at a Cocolalla restaurant in connection with the disappearance of two California men back in 1995.

Bunty is currently being held in the Bonner County jail on $1 million dollar bond. One neighbor that was close to Bunty is hoping that the allegations are not true. Terry Rotoli considered Bunty to be not only a trustworthy man but also, a friend. Bunty would often plow Rotoli's driveway. When Rotoli found out about Bunty being charged Rotoli responded "It's hard to believe, you never know though." Rotoli also continued on saying "I don't believe he could be involved in anything like that. He's just a good guy."

Whether Rotoli believe's it or not though Christian Bunty was arrested by police and is being charged with conspiracy to commit murder as well as two murder charges. His charges come from California court documents stemming from a 17-year old cold case in San Bernadino county, where two men went missing in the California Dessert. Police there say Bunty and an accomplice, who is already serving time in prison for an unrelated homicide, posed as FBI agents and would rob drug houses at gunpoint. But one day in the dessert, police say that plan escalated from robbing and stealing into the murder of two men who have not been seen since.

Rotoli doesn't believe it though, saying "It's an allegation. He's not guilty till proven." Bunty will face an extradition hearing next month in Bonner County to be sent back to California to face those charges. Christian Bunty's attorney was reached for comment but did not return any messages.