Crime & Courts
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How A Budding Gillette Baseball Star And Marine Became A Pedophile Hunter
Chris McDonald grew up in Gillette and planned on a career in baseball. Then duty called and he became a Marine in Operation Desert Strom. Now he’s a pedophile hunter, leading DCI’s Internet Crimes Against Children division.
Jen KocherJanuary 26, 2025
Casper Man Caught Fleeing With 14-Year-Old Gets 37-45 Years
A Casper, Wyoming, man caught transporting a minor across state lines with intent to engage in sex acts faces 37-45 years in federal prison. The then-36-year-old was caught with his 14-year-old victim in Arizona.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 25, 2025
4 Fired In Wake Of 88-Year-Old Found Dead Outside Gillette Assisted Living Center
Four people working at a Gillette, Wyoming, assisted living center have been fired in the wake of an 88-year-old resident there being found dead in an outside courtyard Jan. 10. The terminations were announced Thursday.
Jen KocherJanuary 24, 2025
Locals Remember Thermopolis Woman Killed In Hit-And-Run As "Remarkable"
Bernie Blacketer was a "remarkable" woman whose death is a blow to the town of Thermopolis, Wyoming, the town's mayor said Friday after Blacketer was killed in a hit-and-run. Blacketer would be "preaching forgiveness" over the incident, the mayor said.
Clair McFarland & Jackie DorothyJanuary 24, 2025
Thermopolis Police Say They Found Driver In Hit-And-Run That Killed Pedestrian
A pedestrian was struck and killed Friday morning by a driver in Thermopolis, Wyoming, who didn’t stop to help after the collision, authorities say. Authorities announced Friday morning they'd found the driver.
Clair McFarland & Jackie DorothyJanuary 24, 2025
Former Wyoming Police Chief Accused Of Helping Girlfriend Elude Cops Arrested Again
The former Manderson, Wyoming, police chief is in trouble again, accused of violating a judge’s order and texting a woman investigators say he helped elude a drug investigation. He bonded out of jail Tuesday.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 24, 2025
Montana Pastor Used His “Karate Lessons” To Sexually Assault At Least One Child
A small-town Montana church pastor was convicted last week of sexually assaulting a child and has been accused of another. He used the self-defense “karate lessons” he taught to get close enough to abuse his victims, court documents say.
David MadisonJanuary 23, 2025
Cheyenne Teen Cops Plea, Could Get 10 Years For Pistol-Whipping And Shooting
A 19-year-old Cheyenne teen admitted pistol-whipping one person and threating others with a gun Thursday. In a plea deal, he could get up to 10 years in prison, or he could get Boot Camp.
Dale KillingbeckJanuary 23, 2025
Green River Man Walks Into Sheriff’s Office, Admits Molesting Child 30 Years Ago
A 72-year-old Green River, Wyoming, man walked into his local sheriff's office, said he "needed to confess" and told a detective he sexually abused a child 30 years ago, court documents say. He now faces up to 25 years in prison.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 23, 2025
Man Shoots Coworker, Then Gives First Aid, Natrona County Sheriff Says
Natrona County deputies are investigating a shooting at a business Wednesday night that sent a man to the hospital in reportedly critical condition. The coworker who allegedly shot the man also gave him first aid, the sheriff’s office reports.
Dale KillingbeckJanuary 23, 2025
Wyoming Public Defender Held In Contempt Fights Charge, Quits
A Wyoming public defender quit his job last fall after a judge held him in contempt and fined him for being late to a hearing. In an ongoing public defender shortage, the attorney is fighting the charge, saying he was held up at another hearing.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 23, 2025
Report: “Give Me A Hug Now,” Gillette Man Tells Mom After Shooting Sister In Head
A Gillette, Wyoming, man has been charged with second-degree murder on claims he killed his sister. Police report that after he shot his sister in the head, he told his mother, “Give me a hug, because I am going to jail.”
Clair McFarland & Jen KocherJanuary 22, 2025
Gillette Woman Shot Multiple Times, Dies At Hospital, Police Say
A 33-year-old Gillette, Wyoming, woman who was shot multiple times Monday evening died at the local hospital, police report. A man who was at the home was arrested and identified as the shooter, but he and the victim aren’t being identified yet.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 21, 2025
Wyoming Wants To Take $54K From 79-Year-Old Man Caught With 0.3 Grams Of Cocaine
The Wyoming Supreme Court is considering whether the state can keep $54,226 in suspected drug money. The money was taken during a traffic stop of a 79-year-old Wamsutter man who was found with 0.3 grams of cocaine.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 21, 2025
Wyoming Man Who Worked 15 Years To Free Leonard Peltier Calls Commutation “Bittersweet”
Joe Biden commuted the two consecutive life sentences of Leonard Peltier on Monday. Wyoming filmmaker Preston Randolph, who worked 15 years to free Peltier from prison, said he’s "happy but bittersweet” with the decision.
Andrew RossiJanuary 20, 2025
Jury Hung In Murder Trial Of Lander Man Accused Of Killing House Guest
A trial jury could not come to unanimous decision Monday on whether a Lander man killed a house guest with a metal bar, or whether he did so but was too mentally ill to rationalize what he was doing. The prosecutor in the case promises to try again.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 20, 2025
Wyoming Prosecutors Say Widespread Lawyer Shortage Hurting Them Too
A shortage of Wyoming prosecutors has spread across the state. County and district attorneys are thinking up ways to recruit and retain new lawyers — just in time for the legislative session.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 19, 2025
Cody Filmmaker A Producer For Documentary Premiering At Sundance Film Festival
A Cody, Wyoming, filmmaker is a coproducer for the documentary “Free Leonard Peltier," which will debut next week at the Sundance Film Festival. The film examines the case of the American Indian activist convicted of killing two FBI agents in 1975.
Andrew RossiJanuary 19, 2025
Family Grows More Desperate To Find Lander Man Missing More Than A Month
The family of a Lander, Wyoming, man missing more than a month is growing more desperate to find him. His car was found in Utah, but there’s no other trace of Brent Layman.
Jen KocherJanuary 19, 2025
Big Horn ATF Raid Eerily Similar To "Clown Show" In 2002, Former Sheriff Says
A former Sublette County Sheriff says an ATF raid on a couple in Big Horn, Wyoming, mirrors a 2002 incident in his county. He says his office was misled by the federal agency and calls the response a “clown show.”
Mark HeinzJanuary 18, 2025
Judge Acquits Gillette Broker Accused Of Forging Signatures To Scam Commissions
A Gillette, Wyoming, real estate broker who was accused of forging people’s signatures on real estate documents to scam extra commissions was acquitted by a judge Thursday.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 18, 2025
Casper Man Who Said He Had 1,000 Child Porn Pics To Help Police Pleads Not Guilty
A 59-year-old Casper man who DCI investigators linked to more than 1,000 images and video of child pornography pleaded not guilty. Thursday. He also allegedly told investigators he collected the porn to help police.
Dale KillingbeckJanuary 16, 2025
88-Year-Old Patient Found Dead Outside Gillette Assisted Living Center
Gillette, Wyoming, police confirmed Thursday they are investigating the death of an 88-year-old assisted living patient found dead outside in a courtyard of the Legacy Living and Rehabilitation Center. A cause of death hasn’t been released.
Jen KocherJanuary 16, 2025
Missing Green River Pilot Found Dead In Crash Near Rock Springs
Search crews that have scoured a mountainous region of Sweetwater County, Wyoming, for a missing pilot and plane since Tuesday afternoon found the pilot dead amid signs of a plane crash Wednesday afternoon.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 15, 2025
Montana Fitness Guru Faces Jail For Selling Unapproved Drugs To Fight Man Boobs
A Montana fitness-based business owner faces jail time for illegally selling bodybuilding drugs that fight "man boobs." He pleaded guilty to selling drugs not approved by the FDA, says the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana.
David MadisonJanuary 15, 2025
"Ground Disturbance" Found Near Rock Springs Could Be Missing Plane
Authorities are searching an area near Little Mountain southwest of Rock Springs for a missing Wyoming man and his plane where a “ground disturbance” has been found. The plane went missing Tuesday and a night-searching helicopter deployed that evening.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 15, 2025
Intensive Search On For Missing Wyoming Pilot And Plane Near Rock Springs
Sweetwater County authorities are searching for a Wyoming pilot and plane that left an airport outside Rock Springs on Tuesday morning and never landed in California as planned. Weather and rough terrain forced the search to suspend in the evening.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 15, 2025
Authorities Say Woman Taped Man To Chair, Tortured Him For Three Days
Campbell County Sheriff’s investigators say a woman in Wright, Wyoming, taped a man to a chair at her home and tortured him for three days. She bit his ears, and beat him with a hammer and a pistol, court documents allege.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 15, 2025
Candidates Challenge "Sore Loser" Law That Keeps Primary Losers From Running Again
The Wyoming Supreme Court is considering the constitutionality of the state’s “sore loser" law, which bars failed primary-election candidates from running as independents in general elections. Three candidates are challenging the law.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 14, 2025
Casper Man Accused Of Stabbing Two People, Tells Police One Was An Accident
A 71-year-old Casper man faces two felonies after police claim he stabbed a 35-year-old woman and 41-year-old man at his apartment Sunday. He allegedly said stabbing the woman was an “accident.”
Dale KillingbeckJanuary 14, 2025
Armed Man Steals Beef Jerky, Cash From Rawlins Convenience Store
An apparently hungry masked man brandishing a handgun stole beef jerky from a Rawlins Stinker convenience store on Monday. He also took cash from the register, then vanished.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 14, 2025
Lander Man Claims He Was Delusional When He Killed Visitor With A Piece Of Rebar
A jury trial began Monday for a Lander, Wyoming, man accused of killing a visitor by bashing his head in with a piece of rebar. He claims he was delusional and reacting to a sexual advance when he attacked the other man.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 14, 2025
Supreme Court Won't Hear Utah's Case To Get Control Of Federal Lands
The U.S. Supreme Court announced Monday it won't take up Utah's case to get control of federal lands in that state, a push Wyoming supported. Gov. Mark Gordon says he's "disappointed but not surprised."
Andrew RossiJanuary 13, 2025
Man Accused Of Disfiguring Girlfriend Claims Judge Illegally “Interrogated” Him
A Wyoming man accused of beating and disfiguring his girlfriend wants evidence against him in a separate case thrown out. He claims a lower-court judge illegally “interrogated” him, but in a Friday filing the prosecutor says he's wrong.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 13, 2025
Wyoming Woman Charged With Impersonating Police Officer While Boarding Plane
A Shoshoni, Wyoming, woman is accused of impersonating a police officer while trying to get onto an airplane in Riverton. Wearing a security officer badge on her waist, she allegedly claimed she was transporting DNA evidence for the FBI.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 13, 2025
Duck Hunter Pleads Guilty To Killing Friend, Could Get Probation
A Wyoming college student who unintentionally killed his friend while duck hunting pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter Thursday. He also has a chance for probation and a sentence that keeps him from being a convicted felon.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 13, 2025
Wyoming Supreme Court Considers Whether Cops Can Search Your Lawyer
The Wyoming Supreme Court is considering if or how law enforcement agents can search criminal defense attorneys, their offices and potentially their homes.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 12, 2025
Firetrucks, Other Equipment Burn Up In Blaze At Cheyenne Fire Station
Cheyenne firefighters were dispatched to one of their own fire stations that was gutted by a fire Saturday night. The building was severely damaged, and several firetrucks and other equipment burned up.
Greg JohnsonJanuary 12, 2025
California Couple Builds House In Glacier National Park Without Permission
A California couple built a house inside Glacier National Park in late 2022 without permission or permits. Now they’re suing to keep officials from tearing the house down.
David MadisonJanuary 12, 2025
Jackson Cocaine Kingpin Sentenced To More Than 6 Years In Prison
A Jamaican transplant to Jackson, Wyoming, was sentenced to 80 months in prison Thursday for running a large-scale cocaine network in Teton County. He was accused of selling at least 10 kilos of cocaine that netted him more than $400,000.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 10, 2025
Wyoming Sheriffs Team Up With ICE To Fight Illegal Immigration
At least three Wyoming sheriffs say they are seeking contracts or agreements with the federal government to detain and question immigrants wanted by ICE for suspected immigration violations.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 10, 2025
Federal Judge Strikes Down Biden's Transgender Education Rules
A federal judge Thursday struck down President Joe Biden’s mandate that schools give transgender students access to cross-sex bathrooms and other rules. The Wyoming Freedom Caucus hailed the decision as a “common sense ruling” against “the predations of the radical left.”
Clair McFarlandJanuary 09, 2025
Gillette Teen Caught In Snapchat Sting Asking Kids For Nude Pics Gets 8-10 Years
A Gillette 19-year-old who pleaded guilty to trying to seduce multiple underage targets was sentenced last week to eight to 10 years in prison. He was originally caught by a pair of 15-year-olds who set up a fake Snapchat account.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 09, 2025
Wyoming Sheep Shearer Won’t Get New Murder Trial Despite Taboo Evidence
A sheep shearer who stabbed her boyfriend to death in Lincoln County, Wyoming, won’t get a new trial despite prosecutors using taboo evidence against her. In a Wednesday ruling, the Wyoming Supreme Court said the murder case was strong enough without it.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 09, 2025
No-Show Contractor Could Get 100 Years In Prison For Scamming Lusk Residents
A Michigan contractor accused of scamming people in Lusk out of hundreds of thousands of dollars had his case elevated to felony-level court Monday. If convicted, he could get 100 years of prison time.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 08, 2025
Cody Woman Nearly Dies After Someone Spiked Her Drink With Antifreeze
A Cody, Wyoming, woman went into seizures and spent nearly a week in a hospital after being given a drink spiked with antifreeze on New Year’s Eve. Her mother says it’s a painful lesson not to accept drinks from strangers.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 08, 2025
Laramie County Sheriff At It Again: Puts Red Neon Vacancy Sign Over Jail
Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak is always trying something unique. This time, Kozak has put up a red neon vacancy sign over the county jail to remind everyone they are “open for business.”
Clair McFarlandJanuary 08, 2025
Wrong-Way Driver Who Killed Five In Fiery Wyoming Crash Dies In Prison
The wrong-way driver whose meth-fueled crash killed five young people in a fiery crash on Interstate 80 near Sinclair, Wyoming, in 2023 died in prison Tuesday. His case was unique, as the father of two of his victims forgave him and prayed for him relentlessly.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 08, 2025
Private Attorneys Say Being Forced To Be Public Defenders Could Cripple Them
A public defender shortage in northeast Wyoming could financially cripple private attorney's firms if they’re forced to take public defense cases, some lawyers told Cowboy State Daily this week. They urge lawmakers to fix the shortage.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 07, 2025
Suspect Running Over Tablet Didn’t Get Rid Of 7,000 Alleged Child Porn Pics
A Torrington man "unintentionally" ran over a tablet suspected of having 7,000 child porn files on it, court documents say. Then a woman stole it. Agents were still able to access the device, and the man now could face up to 10 years in prison.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 07, 2025
Riverton Man Gets 7-15 Years For Beating Drinking Buddy, Leaving Him To Freeze To Death
Quinn Adam Duran of Riverton has been sentenced to between seven and 15 years in prison for the beating death of a drinking buddy, William Yellowrobe Sr. Prosecutors said Duran left Yellowrobe outside a church in freezing weather, where the man died.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 06, 2025
Driver Totals WYDOT Snowplow Blade By Plowing Into It
A driver who plowed into a WYDOT snowplow on U.S. Highway 14 near Dayton on Friday got minor injuries and a ticket from the Highway Patrol. The driver’s insurance company will get a call about the $26,000 it will cost to replace the destroyed blade.
Andrew RossiJanuary 06, 2025
Stolen Winnebago Throws Sparks 50 Feet While Chased Through Cheyenne
A 44-year-old Cheyenne man was arrested Sunday, accused of running from the law in a stolen Winnebago with its tires shredded by spike strips. Video shows the RV throwing sparks 50 feet behind it while driving at high speeds through the city.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 06, 2025
Feds Say July 4 Yellowstone Shooter Ranted About Non-Whites And “Race-Traitors”
A federal civil court filing released Friday said the Yellowstone concession worker who was killed in a July 4 shootout with rangers ranted about hating non-whites and “race-traitors.” It also called the man’s attempt at mass killing an act of terrorism.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 06, 2025
Wyoming Judge Who Went To Prison For Drugs Reinstated To Practice Law
A Wyoming woman who went from being a tribal court judge, to a prison inmate, to an outspoken recovery mentor for addicts was reinstated Thursday to practice law in Wyoming. Terri Smith said she hopes her story can help to others struggling with addiction.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 05, 2025
Lander Skier Killed In Avalanche On Togwotee Pass
An avalanche killed a Lander, Wyoming, man who was skiing Saturday on Togwotee Pass. Teton County Coroner Brent Blue told Cowboy State Daily that Kenneth Goff was identified as the skier.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 05, 2025
Lawyer Shortage Means Some Wyoming Defendants May Not Get Public Defenders
Unless a lawyer shortage eases, the Wyoming Public Defender’s Office will stop representing defendants charged with misdemeanors in northeast Wyoming. In a Thursday letter, three local judges urge private attorneys to take those cases.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 03, 2025
Gillette Man’s Mom Says He Didn’t Kidnap Woman During 100 MPH Joyride
The mother of a Gillette, Wyoming, man who is facing a felony kidnapping charge for allegedly holding a woman in a car while driving 80-100 mph around town said Friday he’s completely innocent.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 03, 2025
Former Montana Official Accused Of Using State Money For Tattoo, Divorce And Rent
Montana’s top official responsible for preserving historic sites is accused of stealing up to $300,000 in a kickback scheme. He allegedly used the money to get a tattoo, pay his divorce fees, take a fishing trip and rent a condo.
David MadisonJanuary 03, 2025
Wyoming Troopers Say Truckers Are Printing Off Fake License Plates
Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers stopped two men in separate incidents last week, arresting them on suspicion of using fraudulent Indiana state license plates. Authorities allege the men worked together to print off fake plates using a mobile printer.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 03, 2025