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Mountain Home News

Cobos gets 18 months in prison for bank fraud scheme

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Barbara Cobos of Mountain Home has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for her role in a bank fraud scheme at her place of employment, Zion Bank in Eagle.

The sentencing in U.S. District Court Tuesday came following a plea bargain agreement that had been reached in March 2006. Cobos had been a loan officer at the bank who had conspired with developer Chris Upchurch to issue 49 residential construction loans, for which Upchurch could not qualify.

Upchurch, described by Assistant U.S. Attorney George Breitsameter, who prosecuted the case, as "the real perpetrator of this scheme," had arranged for Cobos to approve the loans for "straw borrowers," and to accept false financial information for the loans. In exchange, she received $125,000 in kickbacks from Upchurch, Breitsameter said.

Breitsameter noted that in 2005, when the incidents took place, the housing market was booming and legitimate buyers were usually found for the homes Upchurch built shortly after construction had ended. But when the scheme fell apart, the bank wound up losing about $1 million.

In addition to the 18 months in prison, Cobos was given five years of supervised probation, 80 hours of community service, and ordered to pay $125,000 in restitution to Zion Bank.

Breitsameter said the sentence was about half of what the judge could have ordered, but reflected Cobos' cooperation in the investigation of the case. "She had admitted her role right away, in March 2006 (when she was arrested)," he said, "and that doesn't happen very often.

Upchurch was expected to be sentenced for his role in the scheme Friday, March 13.

Breitsameter said the sentencing judge had noted the significant impact Cobos's actions had had on her family and friends. Breitsameter said there "was absolutely no indication that her husband (city police officer Jesse Cobos) or any other member of her family knew what was going on" at the time.

Cobos was ordered to surrender herself on May 6 to a facility to be determined by the Bureau of Prisons.

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  • Life is good and certainly beats the alternative.

    SL,

    I do try to share the popcorn with da dog. But he doesn't like it if I put garlic salt and/or Tabasco sauce on it. That's okay. That means more for me.

    -- Posted by Beau on Thu, Mar 12, 2009, at 3:23 PM

  • Hi, OM:

    Well, noticed the statesman has NOT covered it yet and wonder if that is because the others get scentenced tommorrow and for all to print together or what? However, this is public records os I think it's fine to say: Barbara Cobos was scentenced to 18 months in federal prison and will be given consideration as to a "camp" (not a country club camp) for maximum freedom and protection as the wife of a police officer. It won't be fun.

    Do have some opinions as to the "victim" role she put forward and especially the way she made the Judge cry as a result of the cruelty that bloggers and the media had used in "attacking" her children and husband (which I have never seen and the media only reported the charge and process, so that all speaks for itself, me thinks).

    Do think that it was fair overall and that she deserved the cutting in half of time for being a key witness and cooperating from the very beginning (since she was already CAUGHT and had no choice). Apparently, the builder was pretty controlling and manipulated her quite a bit in this once he had a "hook" in her.

    She played down her skills and strenght of personality, all of which were put forward quite strongly while she was actually at work! Found it interesting in my own situation that she would not look at me and I was especially approachable, without ill-will, within clear view and desiring her to look me in the eye. This was avoided and blatantly so, however, the court and me and all involved really do wish her well in the end! Truly.

    Am very busy so will try to view your other blog over the weekend and any comments this or an article in the statesman may generate over the weekend as well. Somthing will come out I'm sure. It was all fairly interesting and I could tell the people and the process all took good care and consideration of her and her family's needs at the same time attempting to balance justice.

    It was touching and a person really need to be able to heal and move forward. I think anything harsher would really make that more difficult than it already is. Also encourage anyone who doesn't think this is adquate time - try to remember what any time away from home without your family and other freedoms and comforts is like. Thanks for asking, OM, and will check in as able over the weekend.

    Yours,

    -- Posted by imamomtoo on Thu, Mar 12, 2009, at 10:34 AM

    -- Posted by imamomtoo on Fri, Mar 13, 2009, at 12:28 AM

  • imamomtoo

    The main reason Barbara is sad is because people like you will not quit talking and bashing her on the BB. Who cares it hasn't made the statements news. Why not focus on positive things in the world or Idaho. Anytime any of us blog about her it is hurting her family. Her kids are hasseled all the time at school, their sports games, in the neighbor hood. Maybe if parents were so quick to talk about other families while their children ears are listening their kids would not be hasseled. If you are the lady who was at the court room you were very rude. You sat on the other side of the room and would just stare everyone down who was behind Barbara. If looks could kill we would all be dead today. But your day is coming, do unto others as they do unto you. So for being so ugly to this family who didnt do anything to you, your day is coming hope we all get to see that.

    -- Posted by lovemthome on Fri, Mar 13, 2009, at 3:15 PM

  • To my friend Barb and family,

    You will always be in my heart, I will help you and your family anyway that I can, because you are my friends and I love everyone of you very much.

    -- Posted by Lucky45 on Fri, Mar 13, 2009, at 4:06 PM

  • First of all, being an alcoholic is a disease and can be genetic. Stealing is a choice and doing so over time was another choice. That Idaho Court site can be good but you need to be darn sure you have the right person when you hammer someone because it really is not 100% up to date.

    Boy for the bunch that stodd behind the drunken police chief and TL and state that "people make mistakes" and what about their kids, you are all certainly doing a great job at bashing the ever loving heck out of someone. She also has kids that may read this crap and you may not even have the right person!

    Everyone makes mistakes remember? Nobody is perfect.

    -- Posted by OpinionMissy on Fri, Mar 13, 2009, at 5:18 PM

  • WOW. That is something. Have you read your writing? With supporters like that, a person could die internally. "love"mthome represent hate and there has been plenty of visciousness on this site for sure - against anyone who discusses it in any way (that's not natural or healthy, people). I do think it's great to see the post of support directly to the family and show that you care about and the individual. Lucky45 is showing support without attacking anyone, and that is what the world needs more of. I beleive the scentence was very compassionate and very fair. There is nothing wrong with saying that. Nor is there anythign wrong about standing up for one's self as I did. I am proud of it, and I am NOT the only one.

    THE FUTURE CAN ONLY BE BRIGHT.

    -- Posted by imamomtoo on Fri, Mar 13, 2009, at 5:24 PM

  • I, having fallen into trouble some years ago know exactly what Barb and her family and friends are going through.

    Even in tough times families stick together and it makes it even greater when we know we truly have friends when they too stick by us too. My family and friends never once turned there back on me!

    Barb will live with this for the rest of her life and unless you have walked in her shoes (which I have) you have no idea what she feels, what she thinks or how much she has already punished herself, and how awful you feel knowing how much your actions have hurt your loved ones and friends.

    This is a small town and we all know that, but Barb don't ever give in to others ignorance!! Walk with your chin up and I promise that time will make a difference!!

    Although we have never met, I do know what you are going through and good people make bad choices, its how they turn things around and learn from those mistakes that make us better!!

    Take it one day at a time and don't ever give up!!!! Best of luck to you!!!!

    -- Posted by smiles98 on Fri, Mar 13, 2009, at 5:28 PM

  • HA! There was a reason I quit Mtn Hm PD after 2 weeks,, With a drunk for a leader as well as the LT.,,,great leadership,,,,hehe,,,,,good luck jesse,,,now I'm a State Investigator,,,,

    Taylor Barkley,,,,I used to live on Summerwind

    -- Posted by roper123 on Fri, Mar 13, 2009, at 11:14 PM

  • Best of luck Taylor!

    -- Posted by OpinionMissy on Sat, Mar 14, 2009, at 12:34 PM

  • I wish you the best too,,,Jesse,,,take care man,,,I feel for you

    -- Posted by roper123 on Sat, Mar 14, 2009, at 9:56 PM

  • GIMMEABREAK indeed!!!

    Let me preface my comments with this; I don't know the Cobos family, nor am I one of her victims. I worked in the industry and dealt with the repercussions of these types of actions and dishonest professionals like Barb Cobos and Chris Upchurch every day.

    What is the purpose of a blog if not to express an opinion. A person does not have to agree with everything posted here, but DON'T expect everyone to have the same opinion as yourself!!!

    This is still the land of the free, even in Mountain Home Idaho!!!

    There seems to be a whole lot of talk here about what everyone else is doing to Barb's family!! How about some accountability. SHE put her family in this position, no one, I repeat NO ONE else is responsible for that.

    After committing her crimes she chose to further her family's misery by feigning a suicide attempt in a Boise motel. Perhaps she was beginning her defense then and there.

    Shame on Jesse Cobos!!! One would have to be a complete, utter idiot to work on the Police force, live with a woman day in and out, deal with family finances and budgets and 'have no idea' that there was THAT MUCH EXTRA MONEY IN THE MASON JAR!! If it walks like a duck...... He is every bit as guilty as she is.

    In all of Barb's boo-hooing in court do you suppose she even once considered the feelings and hardships imposed on HER VICTIMS!!??!! Or is everyone just supposed to forget all of that because she admitted after the fact???? She would have gone to her grave (and paid the price) had she not been caught.

    I do not wish her or her family any ill will. What's done is done and she does get to pay the price, albeit a 'cushy one' and she will go on. But 'hold her chin up'.... nope!! She does need to lower her head in shame just a bit longer!!!

    The only ones here that should and can hold their heads up are her children (not her husband), they are true victims as well. Barb Cobos was not thinking of her children when she knowingly and willing committed her crime. She was being selfish and self centered!! If she had any real character, she would have considered all of these things BEFORE she did what she did.

    It is not about being PERFECT and never making mistakes. It is about making choices with integrity and with the best possible intentions.

    Do unto others?? Is that what Barb was doing while she spent Zion Banks money so lavishly??? Does the Cobos family still own the Hummer?? their $600K home??? (How could they afford that on a banker and policeman's salary??)

    Chris Upchurch didn't hold a gun to her head. I am not condoning his actions either, but again, some accountability please.

    Barb Cobos doesn't have a choice now but to pick up the pieces as best she can. She has an opportunity now to show her children and her community the best she has to offer, but DO NOT paint her the victim!!!

    You can Pray for her, Pray for her family AND Pray for her victims.

    -- Posted by Gimeabreak on Thu, Mar 19, 2009, at 3:00 PM

  • the former mtn. home chief of police isn't your only elected official with a drinking problem.

    -- Posted by homedog on Sun, Mar 22, 2009, at 2:02 PM

  • Was sentenced and has till May 6 to surrender herself? Must be nice that she made the Judge cry. C'Mon how many Non-violent women offenders that have kids/families get that kind of break to take care of things before serving their time? None that I've ever heard of! Plus she has a husband and family to do all that,makes me sick,she should'nt have any special treatment,if it were me it happened to (a widow with two young boys)I'd be thrown in the slammer and my kids taken away. What is with this state's judicial system? Doing your time isn't supposed to be convenient for your family,it's to deter crime,to be a bad enough situation you hopefully won't re-offend. Bless her kids hearts. This comment is not meant to be a personal slam,just a tirade against the "System"

    -- Posted by Moanah on Wed, Mar 25, 2009, at 1:27 AM

  • I have been out of the loop for too long... who cares if she has kids or a family.. shes a criminal... a bad person... a deviant...

    She helped a crooked contractor build homes for cash... so what does that say about the quality of those homes? If the contractor was willing to break the law to build the homes, I'm willing to bet he cut corners during the process. What about all those families living their?

    And if a cop can't notice that a substantial amount of extra income is pouring into the bank account.. well maybe it's time to go manage a crosswalk.

    I do feel sorry for the children.. I feel bad for them because their father is an idiot, and their mother is a criminal, but that's about it.

    -- Posted by The Oracle on Thu, Mar 26, 2009, at 4:36 PM
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