Crime & Courts
News
Montana Man Steals Shotgun, Ammo And Body Armor From Cop Cars
A 28-year-old man will spend three years in prison for his 10-day crime spree vandalizing and robbing law enforcement vehicles in Billings, Montana. Among the stuff he stole was a shotgun, ammunition and body armor.
David MadisonMay 14, 2025
Evanston Couple Get 6 Months For Child Abuse In Death Of Baby Found In Filth
An Evanston couple got six months in jail Tuesday for child abuse after the death of their 9-month-old. The sentence comes after a prosecutor conceded there wasn’t enough evidence that their filthy home or neglect associated with it killed the baby.
Clair McFarlandMay 13, 2025
Remains Found By Construction Workers In Cheyenne Field 7 Months Ago Identified
The remains of a man found by construction workers in a field just south of Cheyenne last October have been identified as Roy Arthur Moates of Laramie County. The discovery of his human remains prompted a two-day, 50-person search of the field.
Clair McFarlandMay 13, 2025
Wright Woman Accused Of Torturing Man For Three Days Pleads Insanity
A Wright woman accused of taping a man to a chair and torturing him for three days has entered an insanity plea. She claims in a court filing last week that she had “extreme paranoia” at the time.
Clair McFarlandMay 12, 2025
Casper Man Accused Of Having 30,000 Child Porn Files Pleads Guilty
A 48-year-old Casper man pleaded guilty Monday to eight charges involving child porn, including images involving sadomasochism and bestiality. He was accused of having more than 30,000 files of child porn and will get a maximum 16-year sentence.
Dale KillingbeckMay 12, 2025
‘Crime Bingo’ Results In 9 Montana Felony Cases Being Thrown Out
Nine felony cases connected to Bozeman, Montana, police officers playing “Crime Bingo” have been tossed by the local county attorney. The arrests could be tainted by the potential for officers to make them based on the game.
David MadisonMay 12, 2025
Casper Woman Heard Gunshots, Opened Apartment Door To Find Body At Her Feet
A woman living in an apartment complex in Casper said she heard gunshots in the apartment above hers Sunday night and a plea for someone to call 911. She ran to the door of her building to find the body of a masked man at her feet.
Dale KillingbeckMay 12, 2025
Court Gives Sorority Women 30-Day Deadline In Lawsuit Over Wyoming Trans Member
A Wyoming-based federal judge is giving the women suing their sorority for inducting a Wyoming transgender member 30 days to re-file their lawsuit or give up the case. The women's attorney told Cowboy State Daily they plan to refile the case.
Clair McFarlandMay 12, 2025
Casper Police Investigating Two Separate Shootings Sunday Night
Casper police on Sunday are investigating two unrelated shootings involving two victims at one scene and one at another. All three have been taken to the hospital
Dale KillingbeckMay 12, 2025
Richard Pitt: Wyoming Pilot And Vietnam Vet Who Smuggled Drugs For Pablo Escobar
Richard Pitt grew up in Thermopolis and lived a life straight out of 1980s drug-running movies like “Scarface.” Decades later, he’s coming clean while also divulging details of his sordid career smuggling for the likes of Pablo Escobar.
Jen KocherMay 11, 2025
Laramie County Man Gets Four Years For Mercy-Killing Friend
A Laramie County man was sentenced Friday to four years in prison, for mercy-killing his friend. Court documents say Switzer's friend had a pending criminal case for child pornography, had just increased his life insurance policy and made other end-of-life arrangements.
Clair McFarlandMay 11, 2025
Wyoming Hasn't Executed Anyone In 33 Years, But It's Tried
It's been 33 years since Wyoming Gov. Mike Sullivan stood in his office next to his priest, warring with himself over the execution of convicted serial killer Mark Hopkinson. The state hasn't executed anyone since that day — but it's tried.
Clair McFarlandMay 10, 2025
Teen Who Stabbed 14-Year-Old At Casper Mall Pleads Guilty To First-Degree Murder
The teen who killed a Casper 14-year-old at a local mall last year pleaded guilty Friday to first-degree murder. Bobby Maher was protecting his girlfriend when he was attacked by two other teens, one who held him down while the other stabbed him.
Dale KillingbeckMay 09, 2025
8-10 Years For Casper Teen Who Said ‘I Hope I Killed One’ After Shooting At Homes
A 15-year-old boy who shot into two Casper homes in separate incidents August got eight to 10 years in prison Friday. He reportedly told friends, “I hope I killed one.”
Dale KillingbeckMay 09, 2025
'Poor' Chance Of Settlement In Jackson Hospital Lawsuit Over Gangrene Death
A lawsuit brought against a Jackson-based hospital over the gangrene death of an illegal immigrant has a “poor” chance of reaching a settlement, according to a Thursday filing in the case.
Clair McFarlandMay 09, 2025
Wrong-Way Driver Shuts Down I-90 With Claim Of Bomb In Vehicle
A Gillette man drove the wrong way on Interstate 90 three times Thursday as he led law enforcement on a 70-95 mph chase. He then claimed there was a bomb in his vehicle, but it turned out to be a possibly drug-induced perception of loose and exposed wires.
Clair McFarland & Jen KocherMay 09, 2025
Feds Don't Believe Sheridan Cop Killer Stole Guns From His Mom
A federal prosecutor Wednesday voiced skepticism of a Wyoming woman’s claims that her son stole her guns before he killed a Sheridan police sergeant in February 2024. She’s accused of buying the guns for her son, who is a convicted felon.
Clair McFarlandMay 08, 2025
Men Accused Of Dumping Wyoming Oil Field Waste In Utah Face Multiple Felonies
A pair of oil field waste haulers are accused of trying to cut corners and pocket more money by dumping Wyoming oil field waste near a town in Utah. They face multiple felony charges.
David MadisonMay 08, 2025
Man Accused Of Trashing Kinnear Post Office Faces Less Time Under Federal Charge
Federal charges against the man arrested on suspicion of trashing the Kinnear post office may mean a lighter sentence compared to state charges. His case was moved to federal court Monday.
Clair McFarlandMay 07, 2025
Friend Of Gillette Woman Missing More Than Two Weeks Fears For Her Safety
Gillette resident Kelsey Johnson, 32, was last seen April 14 getting into a pickup at a mobile home in Gillette, and her best friend is afraid for her safety. Johnson is believed to be in the Denver or Greeley area.
Jen KocherMay 07, 2025
Casper Police Say Woman Shot By Officers Answered Door With Weapon In Hand
A woman shot and killed by Casper police may have lured officers to her house and provoked the shooting, Casper police reported Wednesday. She called 911 to report a burglar, but apparently “made the call to elicit the response.”
Dale KillingbeckMay 07, 2025
Thermopolis Police Sergeant Who Triggered Fatal Shootout 2 Years Ago Resigns
The Thermopolis town council accepted the resignation of police Sgt. Mike Mascorro on Tuesday evening. Mascorro broke into a man’s home and triggered a fatal shootout two years ago. The man’s family sued Mascorro and the department last week.
Clair McFarlandMay 07, 2025
Man Who Fled Wyoming After Wife Stabbed Him Gets Plea Agreement In Beating
A Moorcroft man accused of nearly killing his wife has agreed to plead "no contest" to two counts of aggravated assault. Michael Hammond Jr. was stabbed by his wife after he launched what court documents say was a brutal and prolonged attack on her.
Clair McFarlandMay 07, 2025
Judge Says UW Athletes Suing Over Trans Player Can’t Appeal His Pronoun Rule
A Colorado federal judge has denied a group of female college athletes, including three from the University of Wyoming, a chance to appeal his transgender pronoun usage rule. They also can’t challenge his involvement in the case.
Clair McFarlandMay 06, 2025
Prosecutor Says Teen Girl Accused In Bonfire Shooting Has Biker Gang Ties
A prosecutor's recent court filing says a 16-year-old girl accused of shooting two men in Sweetwater County should be tried as an adult, pointing to her suspected ties to an outlaw motorcycle gang. Her next court hearing is May 14.
Clair McFarlandMay 05, 2025
Accused Serial Killer Trucker Convicted In Tennessee, Now Headed To Wyoming For Trial
The Friday conviction of long-haul trucker Clark Perry Baldwin for murdering a woman in Tennessee clears the way for his return to Wyoming for trial. His DNA has linked Baldwin to two cold-case murders in the early 1990s.
Clair McFarlandMay 05, 2025
3 Casper Police Officers Remain On Leave After Woman Shot On Burglary Call
Three police officers remain on leave a week after a local woman was shot and killed during a burglary call, the Caper Police Department confirmed Monday. Meanwhile, the Division of Criminal Investigation says it’s investigating.
Dale KillingbeckMay 05, 2025
Parent Of Powell Teen Finds Stolen Highway Sign In Garage, Turns Son In
Teens stealing road signs isn’t unusual, but catching the culprits and getting the signs back is. Within 20 minutes of posting the theft of a large sign at the Buffalo Bill Dam tunnel, a teen boy from Powell was turned in by a parent.
Andrew RossiMay 04, 2025
Manhunt On After Murder Of Wyoming Man Shot In Michigan On Easter
John Lusch grew up in Rock Springs and Saratoga before moving to Michigan five years ago. A tow truck driver, he was shot and killed on Easter attempting to collect on a car sale. Police have identified four suspects and his mom thinks she knows who did it.
Jen KocherMay 03, 2025
Man Accused Of Stealing $14 Million In Gold And Silver Strikes Plea Deal
A Las Vegas man accused of stealing about $14 million in gold and silver from a relative’s home in Lincoln County, Wyoming, pleaded no contest this week to one count of felony theft.
Clair McFarlandMay 03, 2025
Wyoming Supreme Court Gives State, Not Teton County, The Win On Glamping Lease
The state of Wyoming can authorize two businesses to operate on state lands in Teton County — despite the county’s land use regulations — the Wyoming Supreme Court has ruled. That's because the state lands board authorized the business using a temporary use permit, not a long-term lease.
Clair McFarlandMay 02, 2025
Eyewitness Recounts "Very Horrific” Crash That Killed 7 Outside Yellowstone
A man who witnessed the aftermath of a fiery crash that killed seven people in Idaho just outside the west Yellowstone entrance in Montana on Thursday evening describes the scene as “very horrific.” State police are still investigating what caused the collision.
Clair McFarlandMay 02, 2025
Mom Of Sheridan Cop Killer Charged With Giving Him Guns Says He Stole Them
A woman charged with furnishing guns to her son, who then went on to shoot and kill a Sheridan police sergeant last year, says the government is withholding evidence that could show her son actually stole the guns from her.
Clair McFarlandMay 02, 2025
Fremont County Jelly-Maker Pleads Guilty To Transporting Meth From Las Vegas
A Riverton woman who sold homemade jelly at the Fremont County farmer’s market also was moving drugs, authorities say. She’s pleaded guilty to picking up meth and dumpster pot during a Las Vegas trip and bringing it back to Wyoming.
Clair McFarlandMay 01, 2025
Riverton Man Takes Gunshot Shrapnel While Confronting Suspected Burglars
Bobby Watts chased two burglars away from a Riverton business, helped deputies investigate, confronted one of the suspects on the road, and took some gunshot shrapnel to his upper arm Tuesday. Then he started his normal workday.
Clair McFarlandMay 01, 2025
Suspected Upton Bomb Maker Could Get Quadruple Prison Time As Feds Take Case
A man accused of setting a propane time-bomb at an Upton drilling yard has had his case switched from state court to federal. That means the potential five years in prison he could have gotten if convicted in state court has quadrupled.
Clair McFarlandMay 01, 2025
Cheyenne Man Gets 7-9 Years In Prison For Pistol-Whipping Casper Man
A 20-year-old Cheyenne man got seven to nine years in prison Thursday for pistol-whipping a Casper man and shooting at another after a drunken night of partying last August.
Dale KillingbeckMay 01, 2025
Tracking Earbuds Helped Wyoming Trooper Catch Man Who Took Off With Utah Teen
Using tracking data from a 17-year-old girl’s earbuds, and a photograph, a Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper caught a 33-year-old man Sunday accused of taking the girl from her Utah hometown without her parents’ consent, authorities say.
Clair McFarlandApril 30, 2025
Wife And Mother Of Man Killed By Thermopolis Police Officer File Lawsuit
The wife and mother of a Thermopolis man killed by police Sgt. Mike Mascorro in 2023 filed a lawsuit Monday against Mascorro and the police. They claim Mascorro broke into Buck Laramore's house illegally, touching off a shootout that killed Laramore.
Clair McFarlandApril 30, 2025
Judge Sides With Rock Springs Schools, Tosses Parents' Gender-Transition Lawsuit
A Wyoming federal judge Monday ruled against a Rock Springs couple who sued their local school district on claims it helped socially gender-transition their high school daughter without their knowledge or consent.
Clair McFarlandApril 29, 2025
Lander Man Jury Couldn’t Convict Pleads Guilty To Murder
A Lander man whose trial had ended in a hung jury pleaded guilty Tuesday in the bludgeoning death of a 57-year-old man he had invited into his home last year.
Clair McFarlandApril 29, 2025
Trucking Community Devastated By Fatal I-80 Hit-And-Run Near Rock Springs
Four days after a semitruck driver was killed while stopped on the shoulder of I-80 near Rock Springs, the Wyoming Highway Patrol is escalating its search for the hit-and-run driver. Industry insiders say they’re devastated by the “freak” incident.
Zakary SonntagApril 29, 2025
Transient Who Broke Laramie Woman’s Face Gets Strict Probation
A transient man who broke the face of a Laramie woman he dated two years ago was sentenced Tuesday to a two-month jail stint, followed by probation and treatment. The judge warned that if the man fails probation, he’ll go to prison for 6-8 years.
Clair McFarlandApril 29, 2025
Body Found On White Mountain Likely Missing Green River Woman
A woman’s body was found near a wrecked car on White Mountain outside of Rock Springs, Wyoming, on Sunday. Authorities believe the victim is missing 41-year-old Melissa Ann Amadio of Green River.
Jen KocherApril 29, 2025
Wheatland Man Gets Probation For Molesting 8-Year-Old Boy 40 Years Ago
The now-adult victim of a Wheatland man who molested him 40 years ago says he still lives with the consequences of being “raped 15-plus times.” Tyler Boyd, who was 14 when he abused the younger boy four decades ago, was sentenced Monday to probation.
Clair McFarlandApril 29, 2025
Rock Springs Man Who Stabbed Friend At Least 26 Times Gets 55 Years To Life
William Brewer, 34, was sentenced Monday in a Green River courtroom to between 55 years and life in prison for killing his friend in 2023. He stabbed his victim at least 26 times in what a prosecutor compared to a grizzly bear attack.
Clair McFarlandApril 29, 2025
Homeless Montana Man Awarded $27.75 Million For Vicious Prison Beating
A homeless Montana man whose conviction for sex assault was overturned won a $27.75 million judgment for a vicious beating he took in prison. A private prison company, which also does business with Wyoming, didn’t do enough to protect him, a jury found.
David MadisonApril 28, 2025
Man Says Casper Cops Shot, Killed Wife In Response To Reported Burglary
A 37-year-old woman was shot and killed in an officer-involved shooting at a Casper home early Monday. The woman's estranged husband told Cowboy State Daily that "there was not a burglar" and that "the cops shot her."
Dale KillingbeckApril 28, 2025