Crime & Courts
News
Eight Wyoming Sheriffs Quit, Retire Or Choose Not To Run For Reelection
Wyoming is seeing a turnover of at least eight sheriffs since last year, which is more than a third among the state’s 23 counties. The sheriffs who spoke to Cowboy State Daily cited readiness, weariness, gratitude and a longing to spend time with family.
Clair McFarlandAugust 01, 2026
More Motorcycle Crashes On Beartooth Highway Than The Last Four Years Combined
The Wyoming Highway Patrol has responded to more motorcycle crashes on the Beartooth Highway this year than the last four combined, including Thursday's fatality. With the Sturgis Rally looming, they're fearful of more crashes on the scenic mountain road.
Andrew RossiJuly 31, 2026
Colorado Man Wanted On 78 Child Exploitation Charges Arrested At Saratoga Sawmill
A Colorado man wanted on 78 felony child exploitation charges was arrested Tuesday while working at a Saratoga sawmill, where authorities say he had been living and working for about five weeks before investigators tracked him to Carbon County.
Kolby FedoreJuly 31, 2026
Supreme Court Says 30 Years Green River Man Got For Exploiting Kids Isn't Cruel
A Green River man who manipulated four underage children into performing sex acts on each other claims that the 21-30 years he got in prison is cruel and unusual punishment. The Wyoming Supreme Court disagrees in a Thursday denial of his appeal.
Greg JohnsonJuly 31, 2026
Texas Trucker Accused Of Nearly Mowing Down 3 Men In Angry Rampage Near Greybull
A Texas truck driver is accused of going on an angry rampage near Greybull and trying to run down three men. That includes a Big Horn County deputy, who “observed his left hand out the driver’s window giving the middle finger” as he nearly hit them.
Greg JohnsonJuly 31, 2026
Colorado Man Charged In Death Of Passenger Thrown From His Car At 100 MPH
A Colorado man is charged in the death of a man flung from his car when it crashed in a Cheyenne parking lot while running from troopers at 100 mph. The passenger “sustained injuries in the crash that were not compatible with life,” a trooper reports.
Kerry DrakeJuly 30, 2026
What Happens To $250,000 Bond For Accused Sex Abuser Who No-Showed At Court
Just because a Douglas man facing 72 child sex and pornography-related charges was a no-show for his arraignment hearing on Tuesday doesn’t necessarily mean whoever put up $250,000 cash to bond him out of jail will lose all that money.
Greg JohnsonJuly 30, 2026
Suspended Newcastle Cop Pleads Not Guilty To Assault, Domestic Battery Charges
A suspended Newcastle police sergeant pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges alleging a yearlong pattern of abuse toward a woman including threatening her with a knife if she refused to get into his patrol vehicle. He faces up to 27 1/2 years in prison.
Kolby FedoreJuly 30, 2026
Motorcycle Accident Results In Fatality Thursday Morning On Beartooth Highway
Cowboy State Daily has confirmed that a motorcyclist died in an accident Thursday on the Beartooth Highway near the junction of U.S. 212 and WY 296. This comes after growing concerns about motorcycle safety on the Beartooth and Chief Joseph passes.
Andrew RossiJuly 30, 2026
Laramie County Sheriff Kozak Strikes Again: 10 More Illegal Drivers Busted
Another 10 illegal drivers were busted in Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak’s latest Truck Around and Find Out operation this week. "IIlegal aliens are afraid to come to Laramie County — and that’s what we want," Kozak told Cowboy State Daily.
Greg JohnsonJuly 30, 2026
Casper Foster Parent Says She Was Terrorized By Bio Mom After She Took In Baby
After taking in a friend's baby, a Casper foster mom says her family became the target of anonymous threats by the biological mother, who is charged with two stalking felonies. "I didn't even feel safe letting my kids go to school," Ashley Monroe said.
Kolby FedoreJuly 30, 2026
Gillette Man Accused Of Pointing Rifle At Police, Saying He's 'Gonna Be A Martyr'
A Gillette man accused of confronting police officers with an AR-style rifle had his felony aggravated assault case advanced to district court Tuesday. Prosecutors say he told police that, "I'm gonna be a martyr."
Kolby FedoreJuly 29, 2026
Friend Says Man Who Died In Wyoming Jail After Music Festival Arrest Was More Than His Addiction
A Utah man who died after collapsing inside a Lincoln County jail following his arrest at southwest Wyoming's Oyster Ridge Music Festival is being remembered by friends as someone whose struggles with addiction never eclipsed the generosity that defined him.
Kolby FedoreJuly 29, 2026
Caught! Four Hours After Skipping Court, Accused Child Sex Abuser Arrested In Calif.
Four hours after no-showing in court on 72 child sex and pornography charges in a Wyoming court on Tuesday, John C. Smallbone was caught in San Francisco. “We didn’t want a person with those types of charges to be out and about," said the sheriff.
Greg JohnsonJuly 29, 2026
No-Show! Douglas Man Wanted On 72 Child Sex-Related Charges Doesn't Show Up To Court
A Wyoming man facing 72 felony child sex charges was a no-show for his plea hearing Tuesday in Douglas. John Smallbone was released on his own recognizance by a Colorado court last week. Law enforcement officials are angered that he was set free.
Greg JohnsonJuly 28, 2026
Police: Cheyenne Man Shot Child With BB Rifle After Forcing Him To Shoot Roommate
Police say a Cheyenne man forced a child to shoot his roommate, telling him to "blow a cap in his ass," before threatening and then turning a BB rifle on the boy. Pancho Villa Flores is now facing felony counts of assault and battery and child abuse.
Kolby FedoreJuly 28, 2026
County Attorney: Rock Springs Patient Who Broke Nurse's Nose Can't Be Prosecuted
Sweetwater County's attorney says severe mental illness and Wyoming's legal standards for criminal responsibility make charges impossible despite a violent assault that left a Rock Springs nurse with a broken nose, facial injuries and bruising.
Zakary SonntagJuly 28, 2026
Cheyenne Mayor: Help Us Find Shooter Who Hit 5-Year-Old In Head At Fireworks Show
Cheyenne Mayor Patrick Collins is asking for the public's help in finding the shooter responsible for a 5-year-old getting struck in the head by a bullet. She was watching the July 4 fireworks show at F.E. Warren Air Force Base when hit by the stray bullet.
Kolby FedoreJuly 28, 2026
Afton Attorney, Former Deputy Prosecutor, Charged With Solicitation In Idaho
Afton attorney John Bowers, once a Lincoln County deputy prosecutor, is facing a solicitation charge in Idaho after investigators say he offered to pay for a sexual encounter through an app. He says his conduct was "morally wrong" but denies solicitation.
Kolby FedoreJuly 28, 2026
Man In Hourslong Standoff Outside Casper Police Station Refuses To Appear In Court
A man accused of triggering an hourslong standoff outside the Casper Police Department refused to appear in court Monday. The judge set the man's bond high at $50,000 because his "effect and danger to the community is significant."
Kolby FedoreJuly 27, 2026
Stolen Credit Card Tracked Man Wanted On 72 Child Sex Abuse Charges To Colorado
Charges on a stolen credit card tracked a Wyoming man wanted on 72 child sex abuse charges to Colorado last week. “If you’re in town, why does the credit card say you’re in Colorado?” the man who owns the card asked John Smallbone in a text.
Greg JohnsonJuly 27, 2026
Last Holdout In Infamous Uinta Moose Torture Case Pleads Guilty, Avoids Trial
Justin Martin, a state brand inspector accused in the infamous Uinta County moose torture case where it's alleged a weak cow was roped, ridden, spurred and dragged across a ranch, has pleaded guilty to a felony charge and will avoid trial. But he can still appeal.
Kolby FedoreJuly 27, 2026
Dramatic Rise Of Motorcycle Crashes On Chief Joseph, Beartooth Highways
Agencies in Wyoming and Montana say they have been responding to an unusually high number of motorcycle crashes on the Beartooth and Chief Joseph highways. They blame speed, weather, distracted driving and lack of experience on winding roads.
Andrew RossiJuly 24, 2026
Colorado Court Releases Wyoming Man Wanted On 72 Child Sex Abuse Charges
A Douglas man wanted on 72 felony charges alleging sex abuse of minors was released on his own accord by a Colorado court Thursday instead of being held for Wyoming authorities. “We’re out looking for him again,” said the Converse County undersheriff.
Greg JohnsonJuly 24, 2026