Crime & Courts
News

More Evidence Found During Intense Search For Gillette Man Missing Since June
An intense search in rugged territory in northern Campbell County this past week has found more evidence of 43-year-old Derek Schaff of Gillette, who has been missing more than two months. It brings officials closer to “the answers our family so desperately needs,” said his sister-in-law.
Jen KocherAugust 23, 2026

Cheyenne-Area Squatters Tell Homeowner He Can’t Touch Them — Then Get Arrested
A couple accused of moving into a locked-up home and selling off the owner’s possessions allegedly told the homeowner they were squatters, they have rights, and he couldn’t do anything about it. Then they were arrested.
Greg JohnsonAugust 21, 2026

Mexican National Accused Of Snake River Canyon Rampage Wasn't Drunk, Prosecutors Say
The Mexican national accused of trying to ram numerous travelers in the Snake River Canyon two summers ago was not drunk, prosecutors said this week. “The individual deliberately targeted our vehicle and attempted to kill my family,” one driver said.
Clair McFarlandAugust 21, 2026

Douglas Man Wanted On 72 Child Sex-Related Charges Is Back In Wyoming Jail
John Smallbone was Wyoming’s most wanted man for less than four hours after no-showing an arraignment hearing on 72 child sex abuse and pornography charges. Now he’s back. “He’s here. We got him back this morning,” said the Converse County undersheriff.
Greg JohnsonAugust 20, 2026

South Dakota Man Charged With Murder In Wyoming Says He Was Defending Tinder Date
A 24-year-old South Dakota man doesn’t deny shooting and killing another man while in Newcastle on a Tinder date gone wrong, but it wasn’t murder, his defense attorney said Wednesday. He was defending the woman he had driven nearly 90 miles to meet.
Greg JohnsonAugust 20, 2026

Wyoming Man Says He Cruised Billings Homeless Shelters 'Looking For Hookers'
A 78-year-old Wyoming man has pleaded not guilty to felony aggravated sex trafficking after telling investigators he was “looking for hookers” as he cruised Billings, Montana, homeless shelters. He allegedly offered women cash, food and vodka for sex.
Kolby FedoreAugust 20, 2026

Attempted Murder Charge For Teen Accused Of Putting Gun To Head Of Another Teen
A Cheyenne 17-year-old has been charged as an adult with attempted murder for allegedly putting a gun to the head of a Colorado teen, then shooting at him multiple times as the other teen was driving away.
Kerry DrakeAugust 19, 2026

No Death Penalty For Cheyenne Woman Accused Of Killing Newborn 38 Years Ago
The death penalty won’t be pursued against a Cheyenne woman accused of murdering and abandoning her newborn baby boy in a ditch 38 years ago. “The baby was a fully developed, full-term, 6.5-pound baby,” authorities report.
Greg JohnsonAugust 19, 2026

Kinnear Woman To Face Trial On Charges Her Ranch Dogs Attack Neighbor’s Cattle
A Kinnear woman has pleaded not guilty to two felonies after years of accusations involving her Great Pyrenees livestock dogs roaming other properties, chasing cattle and killing calves. “We’re just tired of it,” says one rancher who's lost calves.
Kolby FedoreAugust 18, 2026

Mills Man Faces Felony Charges After Allegedly Threatening To Kill Man In His Truck
A Mills man faces three felony charges after allegedly pointing a “monster” black powder pistol at a man and woman and threatening to kill the man before the firearm discharged. A witness said he was “screaming get the (expletive) out of my truck.”
Dale KillingbeckAugust 18, 2026

Newcastle Man Accused Of Chasing Woman With Knife, Pointing Revolver, Kicking Cop
A 27-year-old Newcastle man accused of chasing a woman with a knife and pointing a revolver at her was tased with four cartridges during his arrest. Police say the violence continued at jail, where Kealob James Dondero kicked an officer in the stomach.
Kolby FedoreAugust 18, 2026

Truck Veers Off Road, Lands Upside Down In A Creek In Yellowstone's Hayden Valley
A Ford F-150 was recovered by a giant crane in Yellowstone National Park after it veered off the road and landed upside down in a creek in the Hayden Valley on Sunday. "The cab was at least partially submerged by the time we got over there," said a witness.
Andrew RossiAugust 17, 2026

Colorado Trucker Wanted For Homicide Nearly 5 Years After Wyoming Crash Killed 2
Nearly five years after a semi T-boned a car in Goshen County, killing two young students from a Wyoming Bible college, the Colorado trucker involved is wanted on a homicide-by-vehicle charge. One victim was killed on his 18th birthday, the other was 19.
Kolby FedoreAugust 17, 2026

Family Of Thermopolis Man Shot By Cop Gets $400K In Settlement
The family of a man shot to death in a shootout with a former Thermopolis police sergeant will receive $400,000 in a settlement agreement. A special prosecutor determined the sergeant entered the man's home illegally.
Clair McFarlandAugust 15, 2026

South Dakota Grandfather Identified As Man Killed In Multi-Vehicle Wreck Near Yellowstone
Terry Zaske, a grandfather from South Dakota, has been identified as the motorcyclist killed in a multi-vehicle wreck near Wapiti on Wednesday. The Wyoming Highway Patrol says the driver of a pickup truck caused the six-vehicle accident.
Andrew RossiAugust 14, 2026

Casper Woman Gets 12½ Years After Feds Tie Her To 11 Pounds Of Meth
Eight years after Casper police said Alysha Dahl faked a kidnapping and told officers she'd used meth since age 11, federal investigators tied her to more than 11 pounds of meth. She was sentenced to 12 1/2 years in prison.
Kolby FedoreAugust 14, 2026

Driver In Wild Lander Crime Spree That Ended In Triple Stabbing Takes Plea Deal
A woman accused of driving during a Lander burglary spree that ended with a Loaf N’ Jug clerk getting stabbed three times pleaded guilty to a felony. She faces up to 10 years, while the man accused of the stabbing is headed to trial for attempted murder.
Kolby FedoreAugust 14, 2026

South Dakota Troopers Nearly Struck By Lightning While On Manhunt
Two South Dakota Highway Patrol troopers were nearly struck by lightning while on a manhunt Wednesday evening. Body cam video captured the lightning strike followed an immediate yell. "That's one way to light up a manhunt," the patrol said.
Andrew RossiAugust 13, 2026

Goshen County Man Charged With 8 Felonies For Allegedly Stealing $700k From Businesses
A former Goshen County office manager, already on probation for grand theft from a Wyoming credit union, is facing eight felony forgery charges after nearly $700,000 was lost from two local businesses. He faces up to 80 years in prison.
Kolby FedoreAugust 13, 2026

Mother, Grandfather Plead Not Guilty After Baby Dies In Hot, Feces-Filled Camper
The mother and grandfather of a 2-month-old Manderson baby who died July 6 have pleaded not guilty to child endangerment and other charges alleging unsafe living conditions and drugs in the home.
Kolby FedoreAugust 13, 2026

Gillette Man Accused Of Raping Woman, Calling Her His 'Little Beat Victim'
A Gillette man who allegedly raped a woman and called her his “little beat victim” was charged Tuesday with eight felonies. Investigators say the woman had a black eye, bite marks, bruises, and rib and abdomen pain.
Dale KillingbeckAugust 12, 2026

Suspected Tornado Rips Through Campbell County, Leaving Widespread Property Damage
A violent storm ripped through southern Campbell County on Wednesday afternoon, tearing roofs from buildings, demolishing a vacant mobile home, flipping a camper upside down and requiring emergency crews to rescue four people from a damaged home.
Kolby FedoreAugust 12, 2026

Casper Man Charged With Driving UTV Drunk; Passenger On Life Support After Fall
A Casper man faces prison time after authorities say he drove a side-by-side while intoxicated and caused a passenger to fall off a cooler in the back. The passenger is on life-support after sustaining head injuries in the fall at Alcova Reservoir.
Dale KillingbeckAugust 12, 2026

Tinder Date Ends With Newcastle Man Shot Dead, S.D. Man Facing Murder Charge
A Tinder date gone horribly wrong ended with a Newcastle man dead with a hollow-point round in his chest and a South Dakota man facing a second-degree murder charge — and vastly different stories from the couple who had just met for a hook-up.
Greg JohnsonAugust 12, 2026
