Crime & Courts
News
Wyoming Troopers Save Kidnapped Teen Girl From Sex Offender And “Wanted Predator”
A 13-year-old South Dakota girl allegedly abducted by a registered sex offender was recovered by Wyoming State Troopers on Sunday. Hours after the girl was reported missing, the suspect tried to outrun the WHP and was caught near Rawlins.
Greg JohnsonOctober 21, 2024
Wyoming Man Helps Rescue Girl Abused By Dad And Trafficked For Sex By Mom
When she was 7, her dad abused her, and her mother began sex trafficking her to men when she was 10. Now Blue is 18 and trying to help children after being rescued with the help of a Wyoming man and her new Cowboy State “mother.”
Jen KocherOctober 19, 2024
Douglas Man Guilty Of Killing Cousin After Drinking Binge, Jury Finds
A Douglas man who had a long and sometimes traumatic Army career was found guilty of second-degree murder Friday. Mark Helms shot his cousin to death after a night of drinking in September 2023.
Clair McFarlandOctober 19, 2024
Wyoming Man Trying To Get Federal Machine Gun Ban Overturned
A Wapiti, Wyoming, man is trying to overturn the nation's general ban on machine guns, and on Friday took his case to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. A firearms law experts says he makes a "respectable" argument, but a 2008 court ruling will likely block him.
Clair McFarlandOctober 19, 2024
Shoshoni Woman Pleads Guilty To Shooting Naked Boyfriend, But Not His Harley
A Shoshoni woman could get up to seven years in prison after admitting Tuesday that she shot her naked boyfriend in the foot while he was putting his pants on. She was also accused of shooting his Harley-Davidson but that charge was dropped.
Clair McFarlandOctober 18, 2024
Wyoming Man Caught In Child Sex Sting Video Pleads Not Guilty
A 57-year-old Hudson, Wyoming, man who was shown in a vigilante sex-crime YouTube video in Lander pleaded not guilty to a felony charge Thursday. He’s charged with attempted third-degree sexual abuse of a minor.
Clair McFarlandOctober 18, 2024
205-Acre Wind River Fire Started In Trash Barrel And Burned One Home
A fire near Riverton on the Wind River Indian Reservation on Wednesday started in a trash barrel and burned one home. The fire quickly blew up to more than 200 acres and jumped the river before firefighters knocked it down.
Clair McFarlandOctober 17, 2024
50-Person Search For Body Parts Near Cheyenne Got “All That We Could Find”
Laramie County officials have finished a 50-person search for human remains in a field south of Cheyenne, getting “all that we could find.” Now begins what could be a lengthy process of investigating who the person was.
Clair McFarlandOctober 17, 2024
Montana Man’s Death First Thought To Be Grizzly Mauling, Now Suspected Murder
A grizzly attack was initially suspected in the death of a Montana man found dead in his tent Saturday. But on Wednesday, authorities announced they’re now investigating it as a murder.
Mark HeinzOctober 17, 2024
Riverton Man Charged With Beating Friend To Death Pleads Not Guilty
Accused of beating his friend to death in March, a 30-year-old Riverton man pleaded not guilty Thursday to manslaughter. The parents of his alleged victim cried in court and clutched a framed photograph of their son during the hearing.
Clair McFarlandOctober 17, 2024
New Charge For Laramie Man Accused Of Duct-Taping And Torturing Woman
A Laramie man accused of duct-taping and torturing a woman is now charged with pressuring his victim into saying he didn't do it. His case rose to the Albany County District Court on Wednesday.
Clair McFarlandOctober 17, 2024
Jackson Hotel Worker Called In Sick A Month Ago, Hasn't Been Heard From Since
Police in Jackson, Wyoming, are asking for help in finding a 30-year-old hotel worker who’s been missing for a month. Braigene Collins called in sick to work Sept. 14 and hasn’t been heard from since.
Jen KocherOctober 17, 2024
Grass Fire Threatens Wind River Homes, Planes Respond
Fremont County officials scrambled Wednesday afternoon when high winds whipped up a small grass fire on the north end of the Wind River Indian Reservation, which jumped the Wind River and headed toward dense brush and thicker residential areas of Riverton, and prompted the evacuation of at least one home.
Clair McFarlandOctober 17, 2024
Man Charged With Bludgeoning Mother To Death May Be Sane Now
Israel Melvin, 24, charged with murder after police found his mother bludgeoned to death in January, is sane enough for a competency hearing, his attorney and a judge indicated Wednesday.
Clair McFarlandOctober 16, 2024
Rock Springs Police Officers Literally Dodge Bullets Fired From House
Rock Springs police say a man shot at them from inside his home Monday, barely missing an officer who ducked. Police arrested Kevin William Lorentzen on suspicion of aggravated assault and reckless endangering.
Clair McFarlandOctober 16, 2024
Wyoming Wants Supreme Court To Let States Decide Bans On Child Sex Changes
Wyoming joined 21 other states Tuesday urging the U.S. Supreme Court to leave decisions about regulating child sex changes to states. The federal government, on the other hand, says access to child sex changes is a constitutional right.
Clair McFarlandOctober 16, 2024
Special Prosecutor To Review Thermopolis Officer-Involved Shooting
Fremont County Attorney Patrick LeBrun has been appointed as the special prosecutor investigating a Sept. 9 Thermopolis officer-involved shooting, LeBrun confirmed Tuesday. It's his fifth time reviewing an officer-involved shooting.
Clair McFarlandOctober 15, 2024
Search For Missing Hiker Stopped After U.S. Forest Service Denies Helicopter Drop
U.S. Forest Service authorities declined to authorize a helicopter drop of searchers into a remote region to look for missing hiker Austin King, who vanished last month. Federal officials said the attempt was too risky.
Clair McFarlandOctober 15, 2024
50 Investigators Search For More Body Parts In Field South Of Cheyenne
Construction workers found human remains on private land south of Cheyenne on Monday. About 50 investigators were on scene Tuesday, searching for the rest of the body.
Clair McFarlandOctober 15, 2024
Construction Workers Find Human Remains South Of Cheyenne
A construction crew found human remains Monday on private land south of Cheyenne. Investigators say portions of the body were scattered due to weather or wild animals.
Clair McFarlandOctober 15, 2024
Lander Man Accused Of Stalking And Beating Ex With Bat Caught After Four Years
A Lander, Wyoming, man accused of beating his ex-girlfriend and her boyfriend with a baseball bat saw his case rise to the felony-level court Friday — four years after charges were first filed.
Clair McFarlandOctober 14, 2024
Man Accused Of Gunning Down Disabled Landlord Drops Insanity Plea
A Fremont County man accused of gunning down and killing his former landlord, who was in a wheelchair, has dropped an insanity plea. Burdick Seminole allegedly told police he had enough of the other man “talking smack” about him.
Clair McFarlandOctober 14, 2024
Reader Question: What Are Those Broken Heart Signs Along Wyoming Highways?
A Cowboy State Daily reader asked us about those white and red signs on the highway that feature a broken heart and a dove. They act as memorials for families in honor of their loved ones who lost their lives in traffic crashes on state and federal highways and interstates.
Jackie DorothyOctober 13, 2024
Be Cautious With QR Codes: The Latest Scams Are Ingenious
Wyoming cybersecurity experts warn about a growing threat going into the holiday season — scanning QR codes with your phone. If you’re not careful, they can be yet another way digital thieves can rob you blind.
Jen KocherOctober 13, 2024