Crime & Courts
News
Rozet Man Accused Of Slashing Girlfriend's Throat With Box Cutter
A Rozet, Wyoming, man is accused of throwing a chair, lamp and door at his girlfriend before cutting her throat with a box cutter. He could face between 20 years and life in prison if convicted of attempted second-degree murder.
Clair McFarlandNovember 23, 2024
Hudson Man Caught In Vigilante Video Now Facing Federal Sex Charge
A Hudson, Wyoming, man accused of chatting with decoys he believed were underage girls and luring them into sex acts has been slapped with a federal sex charge. An indictment returned Wednesday could mean another 20 years in prison for him.
Clair McFarlandNovember 22, 2024
Casper Man With 1,000 Child Porn Files Claims He Was Collecting Them For Police
A 59-year-old Casper man was in court Thursday to face multiple felony charges related to 1,000 child porn files allegedly found on his cellphone. He reportedly told agents he was collecting them to turn over to local police.
Dale KillingbeckNovember 22, 2024
Prosecutor Won't Seek Death Penalty In Fort Bridger Killing
The Uinta County prosecutor will not seek the death penalty in the first-degree murder case of Skyler Gray who is accused of gunning down Jeremy Jaques in Fort Bridger. Gray allegedly shot at Jaques six times – then another four times once Jaques was on the ground.
Clair McFarlandNovember 22, 2024
Woman Charged With Stealing Wyoming Deputy’s Car, Flashing His Gun
Laramie County Sheriff’s deputies arrested two women after one of them managed to bypass a safety feature on a patrol vehicle and steal it Wednesday. She also reportedly flashed a gun that was in the car before being stopped with spike strips.
Clair McFarlandNovember 21, 2024
Rawlins UPS Worker Accused Of Stealing Crime Evidence Sent To State Lab
A Rawlins UPS worker accused of stealing drugs and other crime evidence out of boxes on their way to the state crime lab was charged Wednesday. A laundry list of alleged stolen items also were found at her home, including a camera meant for a school's yearbook club.
Clair McFarlandNovember 21, 2024
Man Who Scammed Ranchers Desperate For Hay During Drought To Pay Back $100K
A Kansas man who scammed ranchers in Wyoming and Montana desperate for hay during a drought was sentenced to probation Wednesday. He also must pay back more than $100,000 to his victims.
David MadisonNovember 21, 2024
Mexican Cartel Tied To Real-Life “Breaking Bad” Meth Bust On Crow Reservation
A former Montana college dean was identified last week as the alleged queenpin of a meth ring on the Crow Reservation with ties to a Mexican cartel. The case details read like a real-life episode of “Breaking Bad.”
David MadisonNovember 21, 2024
Judge Won't Dismiss Case After Duck Hunter Claims Friend's Death Was Accident
The question of whether a Wyoming college student recklessly shot and killed his friend during a winter duck hunt is too big for just one judge to decide and should go to a jury instead, a judge ruled Monday.
Clair McFarlandNovember 20, 2024
Mountain West Says Lawsuit Made Up “Emergency” To Oust Transgender Player
The Mountain West Conference on Tuesday asked a federal court to leave its upcoming volleyball tournament alone. It also accuses the women who sued the MWC of making up their own “emergency” to remove a transgender player from the tournament.
Clair McFarlandNovember 20, 2024
Judge Backs Gordon, Denies Casper Doctor's Pitch To Get Back On Medicine Board
A judge ruled Thursday that Gov. Mark Gordon acted appropriately when calling for Dr. Eric Cubin to step down from the Wyoming Board of Medicine due to his "bias." Cubin had criticized a doctor and medical group for lobbying in favor of child sex-change procedures.
Clair McFarlandNovember 20, 2024
Punch That Killed Sheridan Hockey Coach Not Self-Defense, Prosecutor says
Cody McCalla says he acted in self-defense when he fatally punched Sheridan hockey coach Patrick Mudd in July. But the Sheridan County attorney argued Monday that McCalla's self-defense filing is missing some key details.
Clair McFarlandNovember 19, 2024
Cody Man Accused Of Stabbing Mother Claims She Had “Little People” Annoy Him
A Cody, Wyoming, man was arrested Monday on claims he stabbed his mother in a bloody struggle. He told police she brought “little people” to her house to annoy him and added, “I don’t know why I am so happy," court documents say.
Clair McFarlandNovember 19, 2024
Wyoming Will Appeal “Frustrating” Ruling To Block Abortion Bans, Gordon Says
Gov. Mark Gordon calls a Monday ruling to strike down Wyoming’s abortion bans “frustrating” and announced Tuesday the state will appeal. “It just sickens me,” says one leading supporter of the bans, while opponents hail the ruling as a victory.
Clair McFarlandNovember 19, 2024
Thermopolis Woman Pleads Not Guilty To Stealing From FFA Alumni
A Thermopolis, Wyoming, woman pleaded not guilty Monday to charges she stole $15,000 to $18,000 from the local Future Farmers of America Alumni. But in interviews with the police chief, she admitted skimming the group’s bank accounts, according to an affidavit.
Clair McFarlandNovember 19, 2024
Saratoga Man's Tailgate Falls Off During Chase, Charged With Littering And Meth
A Saratoga, Wyoming, man got a 7-foot-long list of citations last week after leading deputies on a chase and crashing in a ditch. Among those are allegations of having meth and littering for when his tailgate fell off.
Clair McFarlandNovember 18, 2024
Jury Finds Fremont County Man Guilty Of Killing His Disabled Landlord
A jury found Burdick Nelson Seminole guilty Friday of first-degree murder for gunning down his disabled landlord in August 2023. Court documents say Seminole was evicted for bringing young females to the home and getting them high.
Clair McFarlandNovember 18, 2024
Proposed Law Would Allow Permanent, Lifetime Protection Orders In Wyoming
Legislators will consider a new law allowing Wyoming judges to issue permanent, lifetime protection orders. Victims of sex assault, stalking and domestic violence say it could save them from repeatedly being re-victimized.
Jen KocherNovember 17, 2024
The 30-Year-Old Cold Case Of “Coal Train Carlos,” Found Frozen In A Railcar
It’s been nearly 30 years since the body of a mysterious unidentified man was found frozen in a railcar at a Wyoming coal mine. Dubbed "Coal Train Carlos,” authorities are no closer to identifying him, but a citizen sleuth has taken up the cold case.
Jen KocherNovember 17, 2024
Trying To Get Away With Murder By Staging It As A Bear Attack Is A Bad Idea
A number of recent human-on-human crimes — including murder — have attempted to be covered up by blaming them on bear attacks. But law enforcement and wildlife officials say it’s a really bad strategy.
Jen KocherNovember 16, 2024
Mountain West Denies It Snuck In New Rule To Punish Boycott Of Trans Player
The Mountain West Conference told Cowboy State Daily on Thursday that it didn't suddenly edit its rules to punish schools for boycotting a women's volleyball team with a transgender player. The women suing the conference claim it did.
Clair McFarlandNovember 16, 2024
Tearing Up Luxury Cars In A Bear Suit To Scam Insurance “Really Stupid”
Tearing up a Rolls Royce and other luxury cars in a cheap bear suit in an attempt to scam California insurance companies was “really stupid,” industry and wildlife experts say. Four suspects were arrested Wednesday in the ill-conceived scheme.
Mark HeinzNovember 16, 2024
Rural Wyoming Police Chief Accused Of Helping Girlfriend Evade Meth Arrest
Manderson, Wyoming, Police Chief Brandon “BJ” Kidgell is accused of tipping off a woman he was dating to drug searches of her house and attempts to arrest her. The six charges, which include neglect of duty, were filed Thursday.
Clair McFarlandNovember 15, 2024
Utah Woman Climbs On High-Voltage Substation, Causes Power Outage
800 homes in Salt Lake City lost power on Thursday when a woman bypassed security fencing and climbed onto the high-voltage bushings of a substation transformer. A similar incident happened in Cody, Wyoming, except it was caused by raccoons.
Andrew RossiNovember 15, 2024
Cody Man Accused Of Stalking Ex, Hoarding Homemade Explosives
Though Randall Bailey, 64, does not appear to be charged with possessing explosives, court documents say police found homemade explosive devices in his Cody, Wyoming, home. He remains in jail on suspicion of stalking his ex-wife.
Clair McFarlandNovember 15, 2024
Vandalism Forces Cheyenne Frontier Days To Close Grounds To Public
A rash of vandalism at the Cheyenne Frontier Days grounds has caused an estimated $15,000 to $20,000 worth of damage and prompted the organization to close the area to the public.
Greg JohnsonNovember 14, 2024
Utah Man Says He Was Hired To Cash $13K In Fake Checks In Wyoming
A Utah man is the Lincoln County, Wyoming, jail on claims that he drained the Alpine Standard gas station's bank account of $13,000. He’s accused of cashing fake checks, but claims he was hired to cash them and had no idea they were fake.
Clair McFarlandNovember 14, 2024
Wyoming, Colorado DUI Patrols Will Be Watching Highway 287 For Border War
Wyoming and Colorado will increase DUI patrols for Friday’s annual Border War football game between Wyoming and Colorado State universities. Highway 287 between Laramie and Fort Collins has been nicknamed the "highway of death."
Justin GeorgeNovember 14, 2024
Multiple Law Agencies Investigate Homemade Explosives Found At Home Near Cody
The discovery of homemade explosive devices at a home on Musser Road in Park County east of Cody has prompted a multiagency response from local, state and federal law enforcement Thursday morning. The investigation remains active.
November 14, 2024
3 UW Volleyball Players Part Of Bombshell Lawsuit Over Trans Player
Three University of Wyoming student-athletes are part of a bombshell lawsuit over a transgender player competing for San Jose State University. Among other things, they claim the Mountain West Conference tried to silence player boycotts.
Clair McFarlandNovember 14, 2024
Sheridan Man Accused Of Punching And Killing Hockey Coach Claims Self-Defense
A Sheridan man accused of punching a longtime hockey coach so hard it killed him is arguing that he acted in self-defense. He claims the hockey coach first repeatedly punched and attacked him outside a rodeo this past summer.
Clair McFarlandNovember 14, 2024
“I Hope I Killed One”: Casper Teen Accused Of Shooting Into Homes Pleads Not Guilty
A 15-year-old Casper, Wyoming, boy pleaded not guilty Wednesday to allegations he shot into two homes on the city’s north side. He allegedly told friends, “I hope I killed one” after an Aug. 12 shooting.
Dale KillingbeckNovember 13, 2024
Torrington Man Accused Of Throwing Ex’s Guns And Computers In Canal
A Torrington man already accused of brutally pistol-whipping and disfiguring his ex-girlfriend has been charged with yet another felony. He’s accused of throwing his victim’s phone, laptop and guns in a canal.
Clair McFarlandNovember 13, 2024
Riverton School Board Candidate Pleads Guilty To Molesting Child For Months
A recent candidate for the Riverton, Wyoming, school board, Hunter DeVries pleaded guilty Tuesday to molesting a child for months. He faces up to 30 years in prison if the judge accepts his plea agreement.
Clair McFarlandNovember 12, 2024
Companies Say Explosions That Hurt Wyoming Oil Field Workers Were Their Own Fault
Two Wyoming energy companies being sued over a pair of explosions that hurt two oil field workers say they’re not at fault. In court filings, they say the injuries “were caused by their own negligence and the negligence of their employer.”
Clair McFarlandNovember 11, 2024
FBI Asks For Help To Find Crow Tribe 13-Year-Old Girl Missing More Than A Month
The FBI is asking for help to find Sa’Wade Birdinground, 13, a member of the Crow Tribe in Montana who was last seen Oct. 6 at a home near the Wyoming border. Searchers have used dogs, divers, drones and helicopters to find her, but no luck so far.
Jen KocherNovember 09, 2024
Man Gutted Dead Uncle's Wyoming Oil And Gas Company To Start His Own
A Green River, Wyoming, man who worked for his uncle’s oil and gas company for 38 years got probation Thursday for stealing from the company after his uncle’s death. When he couldn’t buy the company, he took its equipment and employees, court documents show.
Clair McFarlandNovember 09, 2024
Off-Duty Casper Cop Who Shot At Deputies During Standoff To Face 6 Felonies
An off-duty Casper police officer involved in a 17-hour standoff in August waived his preliminary hearing in Casper Circuit Court on Thursday. He faces six felony charges for allegedly threatening and shooting at deputies. He's no longer a Casper cop.
Dale KillingbeckNovember 08, 2024
Casper Teen Pleads Guilty To Second-Degree Murder For Shooting Ex-Girlfriend
A Casper 16-year-old pleaded guilty to second-degree murder Friday, admitting he shot his 17-year-old ex-girlfriend in the head. The plea means he’ll get 20 years to life in prison, but the father of his victim says that isn’t justice for his daughter.
Dale KillingbeckNovember 08, 2024
3D Imaging Helps Recreate Face Of John Doe Found In Cheyenne A Year Ago
DNA from a badly decomposed man found in Cheyenne in November 2023 hasn’t so far helped identify him. But the Laramie County coroner hopes new 3D imaging of what he may have looked like will.
Jen KocherNovember 08, 2024
Campbell County Deputy Who Killed Shooter Acted In Self-Defense
A Campbell County, Wyoming, deputy who shot and killed a Wright man who'd fired a shotgun at his patrol vehicle acted in self-defense. That’s the determination of the county attorney after reviewing an independent state investigation into the incident.
Clair McFarlandNovember 08, 2024
Prosecutor Disputes Wyoming Hunter's Claim Friend's Shooting Death Was Accident
A 20-year-old Wyoming hunter says the gunshot that killed his best friend while duck hunting was an accident. But a prosecutor responded this week saying the death was the result of recklessness and the case against the hunter should move forward.
Clair McFarlandNovember 07, 2024
Casper Teen Accused Of Stabbing Girl Said The Victim “Walked Into The Blade”
A 17-year-old Casper, Wyoming, girl had a preliminary hearing Thursday on allegations she stabbed another teen Halloween night. An investigator testified the suspect claimed the victim “walked into the blade.”
Dale KillingbeckNovember 07, 2024
Juvenile On The Run Hit And Killed Trying To Cross I-25 Near Bar Nunn
A juvenile was hit by a vehicle and killed while trying to cross the southbound lane of Interstate 25 near Bar Nunn, Wyoming, on Wednesday night. The juvenile allegedly assaulted a family member, then ran from the home before deputies could respond.
Dale KillingbeckNovember 07, 2024
Gillette Woman Charged With Domestic Abuse Claims Boyfriend Punched Himself
A Gillette, Wyoming, woman charged with beating up her boyfriend told police he punched himself in the face Monday night. Police say her fists, not his, were scuffed.
Clair McFarlandNovember 07, 2024
Wyoming Woman Says She Was Too Patient With Husband Accused Of Shooting At Her
A woman whose estranged husband is facing felony charges, on claims that he leveled a shotgun at her and fired it as she fled, says she wishes she hadn’t been so nice for so long.
Clair McFarlandNovember 06, 2024
Casper Girl, 17, Thought Machete-Like Knife Was Fake, Then She Was Stabbed
A 17-year-old Casper, Wyoming, girl was almost killed Halloween night when another teen stabbed her with a machete-like knife. Willow Wagner told Cowboy State Daily she first thought the knife was fake — until it was in her body.
Dale KillingbeckNovember 06, 2024
Sheridan Man Accused Of Shooting At Wife, Threatening Man Who Drove Her Home
A man from Sheridan County is facing arraignment Thursday on claims that he fired a shotgun toward his wife as she ran away on foot last month. He's also accused of pointing the shotgun at a man who drove his wife home.
Clair McFarlandNovember 06, 2024
Nationally Notorious Serial Graffiti Vandal “Ciga” Targets Cody
A serial graffiti artist who lives in Wyoming and has been spray-painting “Ciga” onto public and private property across the country for a decade is wanted again, this time in Cody, court records show.
Clair McFarlandNovember 05, 2024
Wyoming Duck Hunter Says Fatal Shooting Was Accident, Not Crime
Gaige Zook, 20, is asking a judge to dismiss an involuntary manslaughter charge in the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old. He says the gun fired accidentally while both he and the victim were on a duck hunt.
Clair McFarlandNovember 04, 2024
Girl Kicked SUV, So Casper Teen Allegedly Stabbed Her With Machete-Style Knife
The 17-year-old Casper, Wyoming, girl charged with stabbing another 17-year-old girl on Halloween was mad because the victim kicked her SUV. So, she allegedly got out and stabbed her with a machete-style knife.
Dale KillingbeckNovember 04, 2024
'Wish They Would Stop': False Threats Prompt Lockdowns At Schools Across Wyoming
School shooting threats at multiple Wyoming schools, including in Cheyenne, Gillette and Riverton, prompted lockdowns and police searches Monday. The threats were unfounded, authorities have said, adding they “wish they would stop.”
Clair McFarlandNovember 04, 2024
Jackson Hotel Worker Missing Since September Found Safe
A Jackson hotel worker missing since September has been located safely in another state, the Jackson Police Department announced Friday.
Jen KocherNovember 02, 2024
Truck Plows Into Rock Springs Gas Station, Burying Woman In Debris
A truck plowed into a Maverik gas station in Rock Springs on Thursday burying a South Dakota woman in debris. The woman she hit her head on the floor and then a food shelf fell on top of her.
Clair McFarlandNovember 01, 2024
Gillette Mother's 'Weird Feeling' Leads To Arrest Of Peeper, Police Say
A Gillette mother's strange gut feeling led her to check her home camera just in time to spot a 48-year-old man crawling outside her 12-year-old daughter's window, police say. Court documents say police found videos of the girl on the man's phone.
Clair McFarlandNovember 01, 2024
Montana Man Confesses To Brutal Murder Of Camper, Used Screwdriver And Ax
A Montana man has confessed to the murder of a camper near Big Sky last month that at first was thought to be a grizzly attack because of its brutal nature. He told authorities he killed the camper with a screwdriver and an ax.
David MadisonNovember 01, 2024
Fort Washakie Man Who Killed Man In Front Of Carload Of Witnesses Gets 16 Years
A Fort Washakie, Wyoming, man was sentenced Thursday to 16 years in prison for second-degree murder for stabbing and killing a 20-year-old man. He stabbed the man along a road in front of a carload of witnesses.
Clair McFarlandNovember 01, 2024
3 Found Dead In Carbon Monoxide Leak In Riverton Home, Faulty Water Heater Suspected
Riverton police suspect a faulty water heater may have caused the carbon monoxide leak in which two women and a toddler were found dead early Thursday morning. They were discovered when someone did a welfare check at the home.
Clair McFarlandNovember 01, 2024
Casper Girl, 17, Charged With Stabbing Another Teen On Halloween
A 17-year-old Casper girl was charged as an adult Friday in Casper Circuit Court with felony aggravated assault stemming from the stabbing of another 17-year-old girl on Thursday night. She’s was charged as an adult.
Dale KillingbeckNovember 01, 2024
Evansville Man Pleads Not Guilty To Almost Killing 1-Year-Old
A 31-year-old Evansville man pleaded not guilty to four felony child abuse charges Thursday in Natrona County District Court. One victim was a 1-year-old boy whose injuries were so bad he was nearly killed, the prosecutor says.
Dale KillingbeckOctober 31, 2024