Crime & Courts

Colorado Woman Accused of Stealing $2,000 in Fireworks, Nearly Running Over Employees

A Colorado woman, accused of stealing $2,000 worth of pyrotechnics at a fireworks dealer south of Cheyenne, is headed to district court. The 61-year-old woman allegedly drove toward store employees at a "high rate of speed" to avoid being detained.

Kolby FedoreJune 23, 2026

Wyoming’s understaffed prisons have 109 vacant positions, despite years of recruiting efforts. Now they're turning to military veterans because “there's not too many people in prison that are there for singing too loud in church,” said a former official. Above, a pair of Wyoming correcrtions officers move an inmate in a file photo.

Facing Huge Staffing Shortfalls, Wyoming Prisons Recruiting Military Veterans

Wyoming’s prisons have 109 vacant positions, despite years of recruiting. Now they're turning to military veterans because of their training. "The veterans we recruited were excellent correctional officers," said former corrections chief Bob Lampert.

Kolby FedoreJune 21, 2026

A viral video posted to Magnetic Norse on X.com shows a man revving his motorcycle until it pops, prompting a visit from a police officer who said the noise sensors “triangulated” the sound.

We Know Surveillance Cameras Are Being Used, But So Are Surveillance Microphones

While Wyoming debates surveillance cameras, what's gone largely unsung and un-debated is sound sensor technology. Law enforcement authorities in Cheyenne say they are using noise sensors to detect gunshot sounds. Some worry it could lead to "mission creep.”

Clair McFarlandJune 20, 2026

Michael Odom, a 33-year-old Lander man, faces up to 42 years in prison in connection with the Wednesday evening Riverton crash in which two people died.

Lander Man Faces Homicide Charges, 42 Years In Double Fatal Riverton Crash

A Lander man faces homicide charges and up to 42 years in prison in connection with a Wednesday Riverton crash that killed two people. “I’m terribly sorry about what happened,” he said in court on Friday. “I’ve just been fighting addiction my whole life.”

Clair McFarlandJune 19, 2026

Rock Springs Man Accused Of Torturing Woman For Days With Razor Blade And Fork

A Rock Springs man was in court Thursday, accused of holding a woman captive for days and torturing her with a razor blade and fork. "I will murder your cat,” police say he told her. "I will murder your ... family if you get the cops involved."

Kolby FedoreJune 19, 2026

A now-former Newcastle police sergeant, Nicholas Kaminski, already charged for allegedly staking and assaulting a woman faces more charges, accused of terrorizing the woman for 10 months. In once instance, he threatened to “knife her to death,” according to court documents.

More Charges For Former Newcastle Cop Accused Of Assaulting And Terrorizing Woman

A now-former Newcastle police sergeant already charged for allegedly stalking and assaulting a woman faces more charges, accused of terrorizing the woman for 10 months. In once instance, he threatened to “knife her to death,” according to court documents.

Kolby FedoreJune 19, 2026

The mother of Aiden Hall, 22, of Cheyenne, who shot himself while handcuffed in the back of a police car Sunday, is asking how that could happen. She told Cowboy State Daily that police confiscated his pocket knife, but not his pistol.

Mother Of Cheyenne Man Who Shot Himself In Police Car Files Wrongful Death Petition

The mother of a Cheyenne man who shot and killed himself while handcuffed in the back of a police car in January has filed a wrongful death petition. “I don’t want this to happen to anybody else’s family,” the mother said shortly after his death.

Greg JohnsonJune 19, 2026

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday held that marijuana use alone isn’t enough to let the federal government charge a person with a felony for possessing a gun.

Firearms Expert Says Supreme Court Marijuana Case Important For Wyoming Gun Owners

George Mocsary, a firearms law expert, says the U.S. Supreme Court's Thursday opinion upholding a marijuana user's right to keep a gun is important for Wyoming. "The case is ultimately about whether government can take away a constitutional right," he said.

Clair McFarlandJune 19, 2026

Cheyenne 14-Year-Old Charged As Adult In Mom’s Shooting Set For Trial

A Cheyenne 14-year-old charged as an adult with first-degree murder in the death of his mother is set for a jury trial in less than two months. His defense claims he was emotionally abused, while investigators say he admitted he hated his mother.

Greg JohnsonJune 18, 2026

A Dodge pickup involved in a double fatal car crash Wednesday evening lay on its side before wreckers righted it and winched it onto a trailer. The driver of the pickup tried to flee the scene, one witness said.

Two Dead, One Tackled And Arrested in Riverton Crash

Two people died Wednesday evening after a two-vehicle crash unfolded in front of Riverton’s Walmart. Law enforcement officers tackled a suspect who was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and vehicular homicide.

Clair McFarlandJune 18, 2026

Dena Hansen and Cheyenne green sign IMG 6015 6 17 26

Jury Finds Former Cheyenne Water Manager Guilty Of Stealing $350K Over A Decade

A Laramie County jury on Wednesday found the former manager of the South Cheyenne Water and Sewer District guilty of stealing about $350,000 from district accounts over a decade. For years, the amounts were small enough to disappear into a stack of utility bills. She faces up to 10 years in prison.

Kolby FedoreJune 17, 2026

The man who shot Sgt. Zach Burns in Baggs last week was likely planning a mass shooting, said the Carbon County Sheriff. “The gunman had stockpiled hundreds of AR-15 magazines ... and had been prepared to initiate a large-scale act of violence," he said.

Sheriff Says Baggs Suspect Who Shot Deputy Likely Was Planning 'Large-Scale Act'

The man who shot a deputy in Baggs last week was likely planning something, said the Carbon County Sheriff. “The gunman had stockpiled hundreds of AR-15 magazines ... and had been prepared to initiate a large-scale act of violence," he said.

Greg JohnsonJune 17, 2026

Supreme Court Upholds 21-To-26-Year Sentence For Casper Cop Who Caused Standoff

The state Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the 21-to-26-year prison term for a former Casper police officer who shot at other officers during a standoff. He argued a judge wrongly disregarded his plea deal to sentence him to a term five times longer.

Clair McFarlandJune 17, 2026

AG Says Prosecutors Declined To Charge Chuck Gray With A Crime

Wyoming's attorney general on Tuesday said he appointed two prosecutors to investigate whether Secretary of State Chuck Gray violated any laws by releasing sensitive voter data to the federal government, but neither decided to charge Gray with a crime.

Clair McFarlandJune 16, 2026

Casper Police escort a man identified as the homeowner’s father off the property where he lived on Monday morning.

Two Left Homeless After ‘Suspected Arson’ Of North-Side Casper Home

Casper's police and fire department report they are investigating a "suspected arson" at a north-side home on Friday evening that left two people homeless. “My dad had asked her to leave,” then the fire started, said a woman about someone staying at the house.

Dale KillingbeckJune 15, 2026

A former Wyoming Boys' School resident strapped down to a restraint chair with a mask over his head. A court filing claims he was put in the chair with a mask for up to eight hours a day.

Court Filings Say Wyoming Boys' School Staffers Restrained, Attacked Boys

A group of young men suing the Wyoming Boys’ School claim they were attacked, confined in a chair and made to wear a mask. “The best part of the chair is watching the kids cry and scream,” a security guard is alleged to have said.

Clair McFarlandJune 15, 2026

Gillette Welder Accused Of Stealing Identity, Leaving Man Owing Child Support

A Minnesota man says a stranger spent years building a life in Wyoming using his identity — earning more than $500,000, fathering a child and leaving the man owing child support. "I don't even know him nor have I ever been to Wyoming,” the man said.

Kolby FedoreJune 15, 2026

A detective was about to fly to Wisconsin to arrest Roger Durkee when he got the news: Durkee was dead. He believes Durkee killed the “Shafter Jane Doe” 32 years ago, who spent 7 months in Wyoming shortly before her body was dumped along I-80.

After 32 Years, Suspected ‘Shafter Jane Doe’ Killer Avoided Justice By Dying

A detective was about to fly to Wisconsin to arrest the lead suspect in the 32-year cold case of a woman whose nude body was dumped along I-80 when he got the news the suspect was dead. The woman's time in Wyoming led to the breakthrough in the case.

Jen KocherJune 14, 2026

Big Horn County Sheriff and green sign 4 10 26

Case Advances Against Greybull Woman Charged With Taking $155K From Elderly Parents

A Greybull woman accused of siphoning more than $155,000 from her elderly parents over the course of a decade advanced Wednesday to felony-level District Court. She could face up to 40 years in prison if convicted.

Kolby FedoreJune 12, 2026

Car Dealer Faces 15 Felonies In Alleged $2 Million Resale Of Hail-Damaged Cars

A Utah car dealer is facing 15 Wyoming felony charges for the alleged attempted illegal resale of nearly $2 million worth of hail-damaged vehicles. Investigators describe a trail of alleged forged signatures, fake notary stamps and dead vehicle owners.

Kolby FedoreJune 12, 2026

A demonstration outside a clinic that performs abortions in Casper, Wyoming, in a 2023 file photo.

Judge Strikes Down Another Set Of Wyoming’s Abortion Restrictions

A retired Wyoming judge on Friday struck down three state-level abortion laws, including one requiring abortion clinics be licensed as surgical centers. He said the pro-choice group challenging the laws provided evidence “that abortion is inherently safe.”

Clair McFarlandJune 12, 2026

Sgt. Zach Burns remains in critical condition after being shot multiple times by a suspect in Baggs on Monday. “It wasn’t a good thing that happened, but it was a great thing” in how people reacted, the mayor said, which was “like heroes.”

Deputy Shot In Baggs Saved By Quick-Acting Residents

Sgt. Zach Burns remains in critical condition after being shot multiple times by a gunman in Baggs on Monday. “It wasn’t a good thing that happened, but it was a great thing” in how people reacted, the mayor said, which was “like heroes.”

Greg JohnsonJune 12, 2026

Casper Man Accused of Shooting Into Vehicle As Girlfriend Tried To Leave

A 19-year-old Casper man faces four felony charges and the potential for 40 years in prison after firing three times at a vehicle that was taking his girlfriend away from his home. She was trying to get out of a “bad situation."

Dale KillingbeckJune 11, 2026

First United Methodist Church in Sheridan, Wyoming.

Police Say Sheridan Couple Accused Of Stealing Fundraiser Donations From Church

A Sheridan couple is facing felony theft charges after police say they hauled away two pickup loads of donations from outside the church that had been collected for a fundraiser. They said they believed the items had been left outside for anyone to take.

Kolby FedoreJune 11, 2026

News