Crime & Courts
News
Jury Has Case Of Casper Man Who Told Girl ‘I know I Shouldn’t Love You Like This’
A Natrona County District Court jury started deliberating Tuesday the fate of a Casper foster father accused of sexually abusing multiple young girls. One alleged victim told the jury he said to her, “I know I shouldn’t love like this, but I do.”
Dale KillingbeckApril 22, 2025
Newcastle Police Find Unexploded Bottle Bombs, Shoot Them To Neutralize
Newcastle police are investigating the discovery of three 2-liter bottle bombs on a sidewalk in town. Filled with drain or toilet-bowl cleaner and aluminum foil, the bombs were safely exploded from a distance by shooting them.
Clair McFarlandApril 22, 2025
Police Say Gillette Dementia Patient Froze After Nursing Assistant Ignored Alarm
A nursing assistant at a Gillette senior living center was formally charged Tuesday with involuntary manslaughter for the freezing death of an 88-year-old dementia patient. Police say he ignored an alarm she triggered when she went outside in January.
Jen KocherApril 22, 2025
Gillette Man Faces Attempted Murder Charge In Shooting Of Romantic Rival
A 22-year-old Gillette man is accused of shooting a man whom he called the ex-boyfriend of a woman he was seeing. He faces a charge of aggravated assault and attempted second-degree murder.
Clair McFarlandApril 22, 2025
Ousted Librarian Sues Campbell County After Pride Month, Books Controversies
Former Campbell County public library director Terri Lesley on Monday sued the county, two county boards and six county leaders and employees, alleging discrimination. Lesley was fired in 2023 after years of sparring over LGBTQ and sexually-themed books.
Clair McFarlandApril 22, 2025
Judge Tosses 8 Of 19 Charges Against Former Foster Dad In Child Sex Abuse Trial
The Natrona County District Judge in the Steven Marler trial tossed eight of 19 sexual abuse charges against Marler. Final arguments in the trial are expected Tuesday.
Dale KillingbeckApril 21, 2025
Montana Cops Caught On Duty Playing ‘Crime Bingo’ With Traffic Stops
Thirteen Bozeman police officers were caught playing games of “Crime Bingo,” the department reported. The customized bingo cards included incidents to check off during traffic stops, like “arrest 2 people” or “butt-ass naked.”
David MadisonApril 21, 2025
Judge Halts Wyoming’s Newest Abortion Laws During Lawsuit
A retired judge halted Wyoming’s two newest abortion restrictions Monday during a lawsuit challenging them as unconstitutional. One requires ultrasounds and the other that the state’s only abortion clinic certify as a surgical center.
Clair McFarlandApril 21, 2025
Lawsuit Claims Man Molested Girls While He Was Jackson Hole Fire Chief
A former Jackson Hole fire chief charged with child sex crimes in Utah is now being sued by two girls who claim he abused them and distributed nude photos of them. They were younger than 7 and 5, and he would have been in Jackson for part of that timespan.
Clair McFarlandApril 21, 2025
Murder Of Wyoming College Student Still Raw For Family After Nearly 30 Years
In 1996, 18-year-old Berry Bryant of Riverton was murdered by a fellow Northwest College student. Her brother, Ryan, says her death is still raw for the family and he wants to keep Berry’s memory alive — even if it means laughing about it on a podcast.
Jen KocherApril 19, 2025
Standoff Suspect Thrust Katana Sword Through Door, Pointed BB Pistol, Police Say
The Riverton man who barricaded himself inside home for 11 hours this week thrust a Samurai-style katana sword through a door at cops, police say. He also brandished a BB gun that looked like a Sig Sauer pistol.
Clair McFarlandApril 18, 2025
Oregon Man Charged With Assault Says Yellowstone Flagger Jumped In Front Of Jeep
An Oregon man faces the felony charge of attacking a government employee after authorities say he hit a Yellowstone National Park flagger with his Jeep. The man counters, saying the flagger jumped in front of his Jeep and tried to stop it with his hands.
Clair McFarlandApril 17, 2025
Brief: Gillette Man Didn’t Know Gun Was Loaded When He Shot Pet Cat Dead
A 19-year-old unintentionally killed an 8-year-old pet tabby cat while using it for what he thought was dry-fire, or unloaded, target practice inside a Gillette home Wednesday morning, police say.
Clair McFarlandApril 17, 2025
Riverton Standoff Suspect Was Supposed To Get Probation, Then Skipped Court
A Riverton man who prompted an 11-hour police standoff Wednesday and Thursday was wanted because he skipped a court hearing. At that hearing, he was supposed to receive probation on a felony-level charge for threatening to shoot up the local hospital.
Clair McFarlandApril 17, 2025
Judge Closes Courtroom To Casper Foster Dad Trial
A judge closed the Casper courtroom Thursday where Steven Marler is on trial for multiple sexual abuse charges involving his adopted children and former foster children. The pause was to deal with legal issues.
Dale KillingbeckApril 17, 2025
Former Gillette Nursing Assistant Charged In Freezing Death Of 88-Year-Old Dementia Patient
A 57-year-old nursing assistant at the Legacy Living and Rehabilitation Center in Gillette has been charged with manslaughter in the freezing death of a resident. The 88-year-old woman with dementia was found frozen in an outdoor courtyard of the facility.
Jen KocherApril 17, 2025
Wanted Riverton Man Tear-Gassed, Arrested To End 11-Hour Armed Standoff
A Riverton man wanted on a warrant for allegedly threatening to "shoot up" a hospital barricaded himself inside a house for about 11 hours before being tear-gassed and arrested just before 4 a.m. Thursday. He was armed with a knife and gun, police report.
Clair McFarland & Greg JohnsonApril 17, 2025
Wanted Riverton Man In Standoff With Law Enforcement
Riverton and Lander police officers and Fremont County Sheriff’s deputies have surrounded a Riverton home as of late Wednesday evening with their rifles out in an apparent standoff with a barricaded man wanted on a warrant.
Clair McFarlandApril 17, 2025
5 Teens From Wyoming Juvenile Facility Caught In Nebraska With Stolen Vehicles
Details remain sparse about five teens ages 14-17 who reportedly left a juvenile facility in Wyoming and fled through Nebraska in two stolen vehicles Sunday, then leading authorities on a foot chase.
Clair McFarlandApril 16, 2025
Assailant Gets More Than 7 Years In Prison In “Kill The White Guy” Burglary Case
A Montana man was sentenced to just over seven years in prison for a botched home invasion that could’ve been worse if he had killed “the white guy,” as an accomplice urged.
David MadisonApril 16, 2025
Wyoming Tanker Truck Explosion That Killed Driver Ruled Accidental
The death of a woman Saturday in a tanker explosion north of Wright, Wyoming, was accidental, according to the Campbell County coroner. The exact origin of the explosion of a tanker carrying hydrochloric acid is still under investigation.
Clair McFarlandApril 16, 2025
Remains Of Cheyenne John Doe Identified, But Mystery Remains
Even after announcing Wednesday they've finally identified the remains of a John Doe found near a refinery in Cheyenne in 2023, authorities still have a mystery on their hands.
Jen KocherApril 16, 2025
Future Of Abortion In Wyoming Now In Hands Of State Supreme Court
The Wyoming Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in a case that will determine the future of abortion in Wyoming. A pro-choice coalition argued women have a right to the procedure, while the state's attorney argued the Legislature can ban it.
Clair McFarlandApril 16, 2025
Casper Foster Dad’s Defense Questions Validity Of Sex Abuse Claims By Kids
After six days of testimony from Steven Marler’s former adopted and foster children claiming multiple sex assaults, he gets his turn. The defense for the Casper, Wyoming, man started presenting its case Wednesday, questioning the validity of those claims.
Dale KillingbeckApril 16, 2025
1 Child Sex Charge Thrown Out For Casper Foster Dad, 19 Still Active
Defense attorneys for an award-winning former foster dad Tuesday asked a Natrona County District Court judge for an acquittal of 11 of 20 sexual abuse charges. The prosecutor and judge responded by throwing out one of the charges.
Dale KillingbeckApril 16, 2025
Former Firefighter Gets 7-12 Years For Groping Women While Giving Them Rides
A former Riverton firefighter received a prison sentence of 7-12 years Tuesday. Multiple women came forward during a monthslong investigation saying he offered them rides, then groped them.
Clair McFarlandApril 16, 2025
Squatters Suspected Of Starting Fire In Vacant Evanston Motel
Squatters staying in a vacant hotel in Evanston, Wyoming, are suspected of starting a fire Tuesday in the vacant Hillcrest Motel. Police report the owner of the motel has been trying to renovate it, but has been having problems evicting squatters.
Andrew RossiApril 15, 2025
Jackson Man Could Be Deported For The Eighth Time If Convicted
Federal deportation authorities Monday arrested a Mexican national in Teton County, Wyoming, who has been removed from the United States seven times in the past 20 years, court documents say.
Clair McFarlandApril 15, 2025
National Police Conference To Feature Laramie County Drunk Driving Lawn Mower Test
Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak said the WKRP-inspired video of Wyoming columnist Rod Miller getting drunk and then driving on a riding lawnmower will be getting some national exposure. The video, which illustrates the dangers of drunk driving, will be featured at a national police conference.
Leo WolfsonApril 15, 2025
Nearly All Vedauwoo Volunteer Firefighters Resign, Upset With Board Actions
Nearly all members of the Vedauwoo Volunteer Fire Department resigned Thursday. Department leaders say the Albany County Fire District Board acted without transparency, while critics of the department say its members have been causing problems.
Clair McFarlandApril 15, 2025
More Graphic Testimony From Children In Casper Foster Dad Sex Abuse Trial
A former foster daughter of Steven Marler testified Monday about how he sexually assaulted her in the family’s master bedroom. Other former foster children also detailed alleged physical abuse in the family’s Casper Mountain home.
Dale KillingbeckApril 14, 2025
Escaped Human Smuggler Nabbed Again Near Montana U.S.-Canada Border
A woman previously convicted of human smuggling who later escaped from federal custody has been arrested again. She’s now accused of harboring illegal immigrants near the U.S.-Canada border in Montana.
David MadisonApril 14, 2025
Judge Says Ousted Gillette’s Librarian's Discrimination Lawsuit Can Go Forward
A fired Campbell County library director's lawsuit against the family that accused her of peddling pornography can go to forward, a federal judge ruled Friday. The judge said the civil suit can continue because the law protects LGBTQ advocates.
Clair McFarlandApril 14, 2025
Cybercriminals Get More Personal In Scamming Wyomingites Out Of Millions
Deep fakes and impersonations grow as Wyomingites continue to be scammed out of millions of dollars a year by cybercrimes. That includes a Gillette man who shelled out $11,000 this week in fake warrant scam.
Jen KocherApril 13, 2025
Adopted Daughter Says She Was 9 Or 10 When Dad’s Massages Progressed To Rape
The adopted daughter of Casper foster dad Steven Marler, 50, testified Friday that she was 9 or 10 when his massages turned to molestations and rape. When he lost interest in her, she says he “was moving on to the younger girls.”
Dale KillingbeckApril 11, 2025
Two Men Accused Of Drunken Rampage That Left Kinnear Post Office ‘Trashed’
Two Fremont County men in their 20s are accused of trashing the post office of tiny Kinnear, Wyoming, early Monday morning. They were found afterward, passed out in a running truck, court documents say.
Clair McFarland & Greg JohnsonApril 11, 2025
Jury Shown Home Videos Of Award-Winning Foster Dad On Trial For Sex Abuse
A naked boy with marks on his leg and his adopted father holding a belt were among the videos shown to jurors Thursday in the trial of an award-winning Casper foster dad facing 26 charges, including sexual abuse of children in his care.
Dale KillingbeckApril 10, 2025
Sweetwater County Sheriff Building Local ICE Task Force
Sweetwater County Sheriff John Grossnickle on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It will let the sheriff build an ICE task force with up to five of his own deputies.
Clair McFarlandApril 10, 2025
Neighbors Say “It’s A Miracle” All 9 Teens Survived Cokeville Head-On Crash
Kenny Petersen ran to the scene near his home where a pickup and SUV collided head-on Wednesday night outside Cokeville. There he and his wife found a grim scene, saying that “it’s a miracle” all nine high school-aged teens involved survived.
Justin GeorgeApril 10, 2025
Abortion Case Reassigned To Retired Judge Voters Can’t Oust
A pro-choice coalition’s court challenge to Wyoming’s newest abortion restrictions has been reassigned to a retired judge. That means he’s not up for retention every six years and can’t be ousted by voters.
Clair McFarlandApril 10, 2025
Wyoming Man Who Says AI Driver Wrecked Train Settles With Union Pacific
A Pinedale, Wyoming, man secured a settlement against Union Pacific Railroad on Wednesday. He’d accused the railroad of making him work on a locomotive driven by an artificial intelligence system that caused a crash.
Clair McFarlandApril 10, 2025
9 Young People Hurt In Head-On Collision Outside Cokeville
A pickup and SUV, both carrying juveniles, collided just outside Cokeville, Wyoming, on Wednesday night, injuring all nine occupants. Some of the kids suffered head and internal injuries, and two were flow for treatment by air ambulance.
Justin GeorgeApril 10, 2025
Trial Starts For Former Casper Foster Dad Facing 26 Child Sex Charges
A trial began Wednesday for a former Casper foster dad facing 26 child sex charges, accused of abusing four girls in his care. The district attorney says Steven Marler at one point told a victim that, “I know I shouldn’t love you like this, but I do.”
Dale KillingbeckApril 09, 2025
‘You Can’t Park There’: U-Haul Jumps Curb, Gets Wedged Under Evanston Overpass
A U-Haul truck that jumped the curb and got wedged under the Highway 150 overpass in Evanston, Wyoming, on Tuesday. Many passersby couldn’t help a second look and occasionally yelling some helpful advice as they drove by: “You can’t park there!”
Andrew RossiApril 09, 2025
Wyoming Gambling Law Showdown Averted After Deal Struck Over Illegal Operation
Scott Schroefel, 54, pleaded guilty to illegal gambling Wednesday in Natrona County District Court in Casper. Before the plea, Schroefel’s attorney challenged Wyoming’s gambling laws as unconstitutional.
Clair McFarlandApril 09, 2025
Duck Hunter Gets 3 Years Probation For Unintentional Shooting Death Of Friend
A 21-year-old Pinedale man says he feels “incredible sadness” every day for the unintentional shooting death of his friend while duck hunting last year. He was given three years of probation Wednesday.
Clair McFarlandApril 09, 2025
Neighbors Tried To Get Laramie Man To Stop Slamming Another’s Head Into Asphalt
A 28-year-old man faces an aggravated assault charge after witnesses saw him slamming another man’s head onto the street last month in Laramie. His case rose to felony-level court Friday.
Clair McFarlandApril 08, 2025
Casper Teen Who Shot Ex-Girlfriend At Point-Blank Range Gets 42-75 Years In Prison
A 16-year-old Casper boy who said “I just want to kill someone” before shooting his ex-girlfriend at point-blank range got 42-75 years in prison Tuesday. For the girl’s family, the pain is still raw. “I scream on the inside all day long,” her father said.
Dale KillingbeckApril 08, 2025