Crime & Courts
News
One Dead In Pinedale Shooting, Possible Self-Defense Situation
One person is dead after a shooting Friday in Pinedale, the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office reports. Self-defense is being investigated as a possible factor, the sheriff told Cowboy State Daily.
Clair McFarlandJuly 11, 2025
Rock Springs Mother Accused Of Shooting Son In The Neck
A woman could face up to life in prison after Sweetwater County detectives say she shot her son in the neck last month. The mother was arrested Friday, and told authorities her son was going to hit her with a guitar, court documents say.
Clair McFarlandJuly 11, 2025
10 Years After Cheyenne Coin Shop Double Murder, Trial To Begin
Trial begins with jury selection on Monday a decade after the brutal July 20, 2015, murder of two men at The Coin Shop in Cheyenne. The suspect, Douglas Smith, called 911 that day and wasn’t initially a suspect.
Greg JohnsonJuly 11, 2025
Cheyenne Man Who Made Courthouse Bomb Threat To Testify Against Accomplice
A 44-year-old Cheyenne man pleaded guilty Thursday to calling in a bomb threat to the Laramie County court complex. He did it on the advice of a female friend, who was allegedly trying to disrupt her jury trial.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 11, 2025
Green River Man Guilty Of Encouraging Child Into Sex Acts
A jury took about four hours Wednesday to convict a 50-year-old Green River man on multiple counts of child exploitation. William John Duncan was found guilty of encouraging a preteen child into sex acts.
Clair McFarlandJuly 11, 2025
Supercar YouTuber Among 6 Accused Of Racing Luxury Cars In Grand Teton
A YouTuber who features high-priced supercars is one of six people accused of racing luxury cars in Grand Teton National Park last month. The drivers allegedly were racing up to speeds of 111 mph, a park official says.
Clair McFarlandJuly 11, 2025
Reid Rasner Sues Anthony Bouchard, Claims He Jeopardized TikTok Deal
Wyoming entrepreneur Reid Rasner filed a lawsuit Tuesday against former state Sen. Anthony Bouchard, claiming he was defamed and jeopardized his reported $47.5 billion bid to buy TikTok.
Clair McFarlandJuly 10, 2025
Two More Girls Say Accused Moorcroft Church Molester Also Touched Them
Two more girls have come forward to say a Moorcroft man accused of molesting little girls also allegedly abused them. Charles Massie, who reportedly confessed to a counselor that “I’m the terrible one,” pleaded not guilty Thursday to nine criminal charges.
Clair McFarlandJuly 10, 2025
Casper Man Admits Being Drunk, Fleeing Police At 100 MPH And Crash That Hurt 2
A 20-year-old Casper man pleaded guilty Wednesday to being drunk and leading police on a high-speed chase at more than 100 mph. He then crashed, nearly killing himself and two passengers.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 09, 2025
Murder Charge Filed 2 Years After Man Found On Reservation With Throat Cut
Two years after a man was found dead with his throat cut on the Wind River Reservation, a Riverton man has been charged in his death. John Goodman, 31, was already in prison when evidence surfaced that he killed Gustave Yellowhair with a machete.
Clair McFarlandJuly 09, 2025
Casper Man Who Shot Crossbow Through Ex’s Window Gets Up To 8 Years In Prison
A 48-year-old Casper man who vowed “revenge” on an ex-girlfriend, then shot a crossbow bolt through her window, was sentenced Wednesday to up to eight years in prison. He told the court he was sorry, while the prosecutor pointed out he’s a 10-time felon.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 09, 2025
2 Men Wanted By ICE Arrested In Wyoming With 80 Pounds Of Illegal Drugs
Two men wanted by ICE were arrested by the Wyoming Highway Patrol on Saturday with what authorities identified as 80 pounds of illegal drugs. They also had Ecuadorian passports.
Clair McFarlandJuly 09, 2025
Ukrainian Trucker Who Killed Another Trucker In Crash Gets 90 Days
A Ukrainian trucker who slid on black ice and crashed into another truck, killing a 70-year-old woman in its sleeper cab, was sentenced Tuesday to 90 days in jail. He also was fined $1,000 under a plea agreement.
Clair McFarlandJuly 09, 2025
Wyoming Drug Cartel Suspect Who Hid Out In Mexico Gets Plea Deal
A Wyoming man suspected in a sprawling cartel conspiracy accepted a plea deal last week, according to his court file. Authorities say the suspect was hiding out in Mexico after years on the run.
Clair McFarlandJuly 08, 2025
Wheatland Woman Says Very Pregnant Palomino Stolen From Pasture
A very pregnant palomino in a Wheatland pasture may have already given birth when she vanished from her 46-acre pasture. The horse’s owner is convinced the horse didn’t just run off, it — and possibly the foal — were stolen.
Andrew RossiJuly 08, 2025
Lawsuit Claims Wyoming Cosmetic Surgeon Left Women Mutilated And Disfigured
Two women are suing a former Wyoming cosmetic surgeon and others on claims they were left mutilated and disfigured. One suffered with a necrotic, ruptured breast and maggots, the lawsuit says, while another had her infected wound “burst open" at work.
Clair McFarlandJuly 08, 2025
Lander Man Gets 25-50 Years For Bludgeoning House Guest To Death
A 40-year-old Lander man was sentenced Monday to 25-50 years in prison for bludgeoning a house guest to death last April. One of the victim’s daughters said deeper societal issues are partly to blame in this case.
Clair McFarlandJuly 08, 2025
Son Pulls Laramie Man From Blazing Trailer Home Just In Time
A Laramie man pulled his father out of a blazing trailer home with just seconds to spare late Friday. The family suspects it was started by errant fireworks.
Mark HeinzJuly 07, 2025
Former Police Chief Who Tipped Off Girlfriend To Drug Search Gets 9 Days In Jail
The former police chief of Manderson, Wyoming, convicted of interfering with police and shirking his duty will spend nine days in jail and a year on probation, a judge ruled Monday. He was accused of alerting his girlfriend to a drug search.
Clair McFarlandJuly 07, 2025
Drunk Colorado Man Allegedly Pulls Rifle At Alcova Reservoir, He And Woman Get Shot
Trying to keep a drunk Colorado man from driving led to the man and a woman getting shot in their legs Saturday at Alcova Reservoir. The Natrona County Sheriff’s Office says the drunk man pointed a rifle at a Casper man, who responded by firing a handgun.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 07, 2025
Billings Man Suspected Of Killing Girlfriend Arrested On Riverton Roadside
A Billings, Montana, man suspected of killing his girlfriend was arrested along a road in Riverton on the Fourth of July. He reportedly was lying in front of an RV “yelling” that he had killed his girlfriend, and asking people to call 911.
Clair McFarlandJuly 07, 2025
Laramie County Sheriff Brings Horse Patrol Back To Cheyenne
Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak said he hopes reinstating the mounted patrol will bring back authentic Western hospitality and law-and-order during major events in the state capital. “We value our Western culture and heritage in Cheyenne and Laramie County," he said.
Andrew RossiJuly 06, 2025
Gillette Woman In Jail After Allegedly Running Over Boyfriend With SUV
A woman who was trying to drive away from the scene of a verbal argument in Gillette early Saturday ran over her boyfriend in the process, police say. The man was taken to an out-of-state hospital with critical injuries.
Clair McFarlandJuly 05, 2025
Judge Says Rock Springs Woman Accused Of Making Child Porn Has To Stay In Jail
A Green River judge did not hesitate Thursday to deny a woman accused of making child pornography a chance to get out of jail and go to a treatment center. She’s also accused of smuggling meth into jail hidden in a genital orifice.
Clair McFarlandJuly 03, 2025
Casper Police Looking For Arsonist Who Touched Off Five Fires In 12 Hours
The Casper police are looking for whoever intentionally set five fires around town in less than 12 hours Wednesday night and early Thursday. A man at one of the fire locations said police told him they’re “looking for a dude on a scooter.”
Dale KillingbeckJuly 03, 2025
Federal Agents Help ID Explosives That Sparked Evacuation In Laramie Neighborhood
ATF and FBI agents were part of a large response to “potential explosives” in a Laramie home Tuesday that prompted an hourslong evacuation. It turned out to be the fireworks-making materials discovered after the man who lived there died.
Matthew ChristianJuly 03, 2025
Thermopolis Woman Gets 24-30 Months For Stealing $25K From FFA Group
A Thermopolis woman who pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $25,000 from a Future Farmers of America fundraising group was sentenced Wednesday to 24-30 months in prison. Cody Dyan Stewart cheated kids of their scholarships, the group said.
Clair McFarlandJuly 03, 2025
Laramie Homes Evacuated After Materials To Make Fireworks Discovered In House
Several homes in a Laramie mobile home park was evacuated Wednesday as authorities responded to a situation that involved “potential explosives in the area.” Emergency officials say materials to make fireworks were found in a home.
Clair McFarlandJuly 03, 2025
Police Recommend Murder Charge In Casper Shooting, DA Says Not Enough Evidence
A 74-year-old Casper man will not be charged for the shooting death of his daughter’s boyfriend four months ago. The Natrona County District Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday it won’t prosecute, citing not enough evidence to justify the charge.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 02, 2025
Jackson Man Accused Of Killing Bicyclist While Driving Drunk Sent To Higher Court
A Jackson man accused of killing a bicyclist and local photographer will be tried in felony-level court, a judge ruled Wednesday. The judge also kept the man’s bond at $300,000 and forbade him from driving if he makes bail.
Clair McFarlandJuly 02, 2025
Deal For Manderson Police Chief Charged With Helping Girlfriend Avoid Drug Arrest
The former police chief of Manderson, Wyoming, accused of helping his girlfriend avoid a drug arrest has agreed to a plea deal. He’ll get probation and has to give up his policing certification.
Clair McFarlandJuly 01, 2025
Judge Green-Lights Off-Label Prescribing Of Abortion Drugs
Lawmakers may have had Ivermectin in mind when they passed a law to safeguard doctors who prescribe off-label. But a judge on Monday ruled that, at least for now, that protection must apply to abortion-inducing drug providers as well.
Clair McFarlandJuly 01, 2025
Riverton Man In 130 mph Car Chase Faces Up To 7 Years In Prison
The Riverton man accused of leading Fremont County law enforcement on a 130-mph car chase through a construction zone last week could face up to seven years and 40 days in prison. His preliminary hearing is Tuesday.
Clair McFarlandJune 30, 2025
A Week After Shooting Death Of Pine Bluffs Crop Duster, Friend Still Shocked
A friend and former college rodeo teammate of the Pine Bluffs crop duster who was shot and killed last week says he’s still shocked. He knew Kevin Hefley as a “level-headed guy” who wasn’t one to “fly off the handle.”
Dale KillingbeckJune 30, 2025
Court Gives $15K Back To Man Who Bailed Out Fake Jackson 'Bitcoin Billionaire'
The man who posted a $50,000 bond to free the alleged “Bitcoin Billionaire” scammer from Teton County’s jail can have $15,000 of it back, a judge has ruled. The prosecution argues the suspect's promise to pay the bond back is another of his bogus promises.
Clair McFarlandJune 30, 2025
Chuck Gray Asks Judge To Dismiss Lawsuit Against Proof-Of-Citizenship Voting Law
Secretary of State Chuck Gray on Friday asked a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit challenging Wyoming’s new proof-of-citizenship voting law. He claims the complaint is brought by “radical left” groups that haven’t shown it could harm them.
Clair McFarlandJune 28, 2025
Supreme Court Upholds Porn Age Verification Days Before Wyo Law Takes Effect
A Supreme Court ruling upholding a Texas law that requires porn websites to verify visitors are adults protects Wyoming’s new age-verification law as well, its sponsor says. “The ruling is a complete win,” says Worland Republican Rep. Martha Lawley.
Clair McFarlandJune 28, 2025
Case Against Star Valley Man In Wife’s Death Proceeds After Contentious Hearing
After a contentious hearing full of objections, debates over court rules and photographs of his injured wife before she died, the manslaughter case against a Star Valley man advanced to District Court on Thursday.
Clair McFarlandJune 27, 2025
Brief: ‘Shooter Has Been Located’ In Killing Of Pine Bluffs Crop Duster
The Laramie County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday identified the 52-year-old Pine Bluffs crop duster who was shot and killed Tuesday. Little information is being released as the agency investigates, but officials report that “the shooter has been located.”
Dale KillingbeckJune 26, 2025
Bomb Squad Called For Device Found Near River In Lander — It Was A Fake Pipe Bomb
A bomb squad was called Wednesday to disarm what looked like a pipe bomb along Lander's Popo Agie River. An X-ray image showed the device to be a fake pipe bomb. It's the second time in three months people have found fake explosives in Fremont County.
Clair McFarlandJune 25, 2025
Four Arrested For Drag Racing ‘High-End Luxury Sports Cars’ In Grand Teton Park
Four people were arrested Tuesday, accused of drag racing "multiple high-end luxury sports cars" in Grand Teton National Park. A Wyoming auto writer says that’s foolish, and wonders “what would happen to a Lamborghini if it hit a black bear?”
Clair McFarlandJune 25, 2025
Drugs Fly Out Window During 40-Mile High-Speed Chase Through Carbon County
A more than 40-mile high-speed chase through Carbon County on Tuesday ended in Saratoga. During the chase, suspected drugs were flying out a window, and the driver and a passenger face felony drug charges.
Jen KocherJune 25, 2025
Wyoming Man Caught In YouTube Child Predator Sting Gets 10 Years
Sean Joseph Brennan of Hudson was sentenced on Tuesday to 10 years in federal prison for possessing child pornography. Brennan was caught by an Internet vigilante who poses as minors to snag child predators.
Matthew ChristianJune 24, 2025
Gillette Man Who Admitted Child Sex Crimes While Applying For Deputy Job Gets Deal
A Gillette man is set to plead guilty to child molestation Monday. Prosecutors say he confessed to the crimes while applying for a job at the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office before he was to take a polygraph test.
Clair McFarlandJune 24, 2025
Cheyenne Teens Accused Of Torching Vacant Home Face Arson Charges
Three Cheyenne teens were charged with arson Monday for allegedly setting four fires inside a vacant home in the northeast part of the city. They and a fourth as-yet uncharged teen were found out after one of them talked about burning the house at school.
Dale KillingbeckJune 24, 2025
Riverton Car Chase Hits 130 MPH, Ends In Rollover
Authorities on Saturday arrested a Riverton man for DUI and felony eluding after he bolted northward through a construction zone, hitting 130 mph in a car chase. Wyoming troopers did a tactical intervention, and the car rolled repeatedly.
Clair McFarlandJune 24, 2025
Riverton Man Who Stole Car With Baby Inside Pleads Guilty
The 29-year-old Riverton man who stole a car with a baby inside in it in February pleaded guilty Friday to one count of felony kidnapping. He faces a sentence of between eight and 10 years in prison or could be sent to a “boot camp” program.
Clair McFarlandJune 23, 2025
Rock Springs Man Shot In Neck During Weekend Altercation, No Arrests Yet
Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office says no arrests have yet been made, but there is a person of interest in a Saturday evening altercation that left a man shot in the neck. An investigation continues, and there’s no threat to the public.
Clair McFarlandJune 23, 2025