Crime & Courts

Chris McDonald, 51, completed the elite FBI National Academy at Quantico, Virginia, as one of 1% of senior law enforcement officers throughout the country and world. His road to law enforcement began much earlier, however, when he joined the Marines as a teen.

How A Budding Gillette Baseball Star And Marine Became A Pedophile Hunter

Chris McDonald grew up in Gillette and planned on a career in baseball. Then duty called and he became a Marine in Operation Desert Strom. Now he’s a pedophile hunter, leading DCI’s Internet Crimes Against Children division.

Jen KocherJanuary 26, 2025

Casper Man Caught Fleeing With 14-Year-Old Gets 37-45 Years

A Casper, Wyoming, man caught transporting a minor across state lines with intent to engage in sex acts faces 37-45 years in federal prison. The then-36-year-old was caught with his 14-year-old victim in Arizona.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 25, 2025

Gillette, Wyoming, police are investigating the death of an 88-year-old assisted living patient found dead outside in a courtyard of the Legacy Living and Rehabilitation Center. A cause of death hasn’t been released.

4 Fired In Wake Of 88-Year-Old Found Dead Outside Gillette Assisted Living Center

Four people working at a Gillette, Wyoming, assisted living center have been fired in the wake of an 88-year-old resident there being found dead in an outside courtyard Jan. 10. The terminations were announced Thursday.

Jen KocherJanuary 24, 2025

Bernadette Blacketer, 83, was killed when she was hit by a vehicle Friday morning, Jan. 24, 2025, while walking to open St. Francis Catholic Church on Arapahoe Street in Thermopolis.

Locals Remember Thermopolis Woman Killed In Hit-And-Run As "Remarkable"

Bernie Blacketer was a "remarkable" woman whose death is a blow to the town of Thermopolis, Wyoming, the town's mayor said Friday after Blacketer was killed in a hit-and-run. Blacketer would be "preaching forgiveness" over the incident, the mayor said.

Clair McFarland & Jackie DorothyJanuary 24, 2025

A pedestrian was killed when she was hit by a vehicle Friday morning, Jan. 24, 2025, in front of St. Francis Catholic Church on Arapahoe Street in Thermopolis.

Thermopolis Police Say They Found Driver In Hit-And-Run That Killed Pedestrian

A pedestrian was struck and killed Friday morning by a driver in Thermopolis, Wyoming, who didn’t stop to help after the collision, authorities say. Authorities announced Friday morning they'd found the driver.

Clair McFarland & Jackie DorothyJanuary 24, 2025

Former Wyoming Police Chief Accused Of Helping Girlfriend Elude Cops Arrested Again

The former Manderson, Wyoming, police chief is in trouble again, accused of violating a judge’s order and texting a woman investigators say he helped elude a drug investigation. He bonded out of jail Tuesday.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 24, 2025

Montana Pastor Used His “Karate Lessons” To Sexually Assault At Least One Child

A small-town Montana church pastor was convicted last week of sexually assaulting a child and has been accused of another. He used the self-defense “karate lessons” he taught to get close enough to abuse his victims, court documents say.

David MadisonJanuary 23, 2025

Cheyenne Teen Cops Plea, Could Get 10 Years For Pistol-Whipping And Shooting

A 19-year-old Cheyenne teen admitted pistol-whipping one person and threating others with a gun Thursday. In a plea deal, he could get up to 10 years in prison, or he could get Boot Camp.

Dale KillingbeckJanuary 23, 2025

Green River Man Walks Into Sheriff’s Office, Admits Molesting Child 30 Years Ago

A 72-year-old Green River, Wyoming, man walked into his local sheriff's office, said he "needed to confess" and told a detective he sexually abused a child 30 years ago, court documents say. He now faces up to 25 years in prison.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 23, 2025

The building at 2279 Six Mile Road in Natrona County near Casper where a shooting happened Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025.

Man Shoots Coworker, Then Gives First Aid, Natrona County Sheriff Says

Natrona County deputies are investigating a shooting at a business Wednesday night that sent a man to the hospital in reportedly critical condition. The coworker who allegedly shot the man also gave him first aid, the sheriff’s office reports.

Dale KillingbeckJanuary 23, 2025

Campbell County Courthouse in Gillette, Wyoming.

Wyoming Public Defender Held In Contempt Fights Charge, Quits

A Wyoming public defender quit his job last fall after a judge held him in contempt and fined him for being late to a hearing. In an ongoing public defender shortage, the attorney is fighting the charge, saying he was held up at another hearing.