A Thermopolis woman who pleaded guilty to six felonies for stealing nearly $25,000 from a Future Farmers of America fundraising group was sentenced Wednesday to between 24 and 30 months in prison.
Cody Dyan Stewart, 36, was also ordered to pay $24,863.76 in restitution and $1,100 in court costs and fees - the maximum allowed under a plea agreement she signed months prior.
Stewart appeared in Hot Springs County District Court via virtual link Wednesday from her attorney’s Worland-based office, wearing a striped cardigan and a black shirt. She hung her head as District Court Judge Bill Simpson pronounced the sentence against her, and told her those months in prison would not be suspended in favor of a probation.
Simpson also told Stewart to get to law enforcement agents immediately so they could take her into custody and send her to the Wyoming Women’s Center in Lusk.
“Don’t do anything foolish,” warned the judge.
Special prosecutor Dan Itzen, who is also Natrona County District Attorney, had emphasized during his argument that Stewart stole from people who trusted in her and believed in her — the Thermopolis FFA alumni group, for which she was treasurer.
He pointed to the harm Stewart has done and the trusts she’s betrayed by exposing the group to scrutiny in a small-town community demanding a reckoning of where its donations had gone. The group also had to face students who were expecting scholarships and other aid but were disappointed, Itzen noted.
The group was angry, but also suffering from humiliation due to Stewart’s actions, said the prosecutor.
Itzen asked for the sentence Simpson ultimately gave: 24-30 months in prison plus restitution.
‘Learn That Lesson Today’
Stewart’s attorney Christopher King, conversely, asked for a term of probation.
He pointed to Stewart’s status as the single mother of four young children. One father is “missing in action” and the other has had his parental rights terminated, said King.
Stewart’s twins were born premature and cast her into financial hardship, said the attorney.
The Department of Corrections employee who compiled a report on Stewart’s character and history indicated Stewart would be a good candidate for probation, as she tested low-risk across several categories, King added.
Simpson said he was sympathetic to the fact that Stewart is a young mother. But this was offset by how long she siphoned money from the FFA alumni group, and how many chances she had, and skipped, to come clean, said the judge.
Simpson also said that, having lived in that region of Wyoming throughout his life, he believes people are sincere and helpful, and that if Stewart had reached out to people for help, they would have helped her.
“Your children need you,” said Simpson. “But they need a mother who knows the difference between right and wrong. And if you don’t learn that lesson today you aren’t going to get it.”
For My Children
Stewart spoke on her own behalf, saying she takes full responsibility for her actions and would like to apologize to everyone involved, especially her children.
“I know I faltered in setting the example they deserve,” said Stewart. “I’m committed to living a life of humility and honesty and integrity from this point on.”
While Stewart was speaking, some female voices in the court gallery were murmuring.
One woman in attendance called out, “Whatever.”
FFA Alumni Group Statement
Before Stewart spoke, Mandy Wilson, of the FFA Alumni group, delivered a victim impact statement to the court on the group’s behalf.
The statement emphasized the trust the group and community placed in Stewart, and the fallout from her actions.
“The ultimate victims (were) 138 FFA members, including Stewart’s own child,” said Wilson. “Scholarship checks fro the 2024-25 school year bounced, leaving students scrambling for financial support. The stress of finding alternative funding added an additional burden for them. It also led to feelings of disappointment and betrayal.”
Due to “some generous donors” the group was still able to give “some” scholarships for high school seniors this year, Wilson added.
County Commissioner
Hot Springs County Commissioner Bob Aguiar wrote a letter of support for Stewart ahead of her sentencing.
He said he’s known her for eight years and she’s an “excellent mother to four very well-behaved children.”
Wilson’s account countered this: Wilson had cast Stewart’s mothering as concerning.
Aguiar continued: “Please don’t judge her too harshly. She is getting her life in order will make amends.”
Stewart throughout this case was employed with the Hot Springs County Assessor’s Office.
She told the court she could pay the restitution no later than Thursday morning.
Simpson ordered it done.
There was a dispute in court over whether the nearly $25,000 was correct.
The FFA group said it could prove a loss of $32,071.76.
Itzen said the $24,867.76, however, was the loss amount he could prove to the court.
Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.
