Crime & Courts
News

Cody Bar Manager Accused Of Skimming Nearly $200K From Gaming Machines
A longtime manager of a Cody bar is accused of skimming nearly $200,000 from gaming machine profits over the past three years. She faces four counts of felony theft in Cody Circuit Court, each punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Clair McFarlandJuly 29, 2024

Friend Says Naked Man Passed Out In Stranger’s Home Usually “A Pretty Good Guy”
Upon returning to his home in Alpine, Wyoming, a man found his house wrecked and a naked stranger passed out there last month. The intruder had his case elevated to felony-level court last week, while a friend says he’s usually “a pretty good guy.”
Clair McFarlandJuly 29, 2024

Bad Autopilot May Have Contributed To Wyoming Air Crash That Killed 7
The single-engine turboprop plane that crashed in northeast Wyoming on Friday, killing all 7 on board, indicated an “autopilot issue during flight,” the NTSB reports. That would be in line with that model aircraft, a crash investigator told Cowboy State Daily.
Clair McFarlandJuly 29, 2024
For Some Wyoming Inmates, Prison Is Their Best Shot At Education
For some Wyoming inmates, being in prison is their first best shot at getting a real education and not repeating their crimes. Critics worry, however, it takes resources from other students.
Jen KocherJuly 28, 2024

Former Wyoming Judge Busted For Drugs Now Spreads Recovery Story And Hope
Terri Smith was a respected Wyoming tribal judge before she was busted for dealing cocaine and helping to sell prescription drugs. Now she's working to help other addicts recover and find redemption through accountability and gratitude.
Clair McFarlandJuly 28, 2024

Not 'The Lucas I Knew': Family Of Yellowstone Shooter Shocked By July 4 Standoff
Authorities say Yellowstone concessionaire worker Lucas Fussner took a hostage and threatened to "shoot Jew-babies" before dying in a shootout with a park ranger July 4. Fussner's family says they're shocked and that wasn't the person they knew.
Clair McFarlandJuly 27, 2024

Three Members Of Gospel Group The Nelons Killed In Wyoming Plane Crash
Three members from the gospel group The Nelons were killed in a plane crash on Friday afternoon in northeast Wyoming. At least seven passengers were onboard the plane. There were no survivors.
Jimmy Orr, Greg Johnson & Clair McFarlandJuly 27, 2024

'Super, Super Nice People': Plane Fueled Up In Nebraska Before Crashing In Wyoming
A single-engine aircraft that crashed in northeast Wyoming on Friday afternoon had fueled up in Nebraska. The manager of the airfield said they were regular customers and just "super, super nice people." There were no survivors.
Clair McFarland & Greg JohnsonJuly 26, 2024

New Trial For Rawlins Woman Who Crushed Sleeping Pills Into Kids’ Milk
The Wyoming Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered a new trial for a Rawlins woman who admitted crushing up prescription sleeping pills into her children’s milk. Because no one proved the kids were injured, the high court ruled it wasn’t necessarily abuse.
Clair McFarlandJuly 26, 2024

Police Dog Brings Down Suspected Bank Robber In Cheyenne
The Cheyenne Police Department credited one of their police dogs with apprehending a man suspected of robbing two banks in the city Thursday. Before his arrest, the suspect reportedly assaulted an officer by throwing a hammer at him.
Clair McFarlandJuly 26, 2024

Montana Officials Warn Residents That Streams Might Be Electrified After Violent Windstorm
After a violent windstorm knocked down power lines into waterways in western Montana, officials are warning people to stay out of the water, which they fear are electrified.
Clair McFarlandJuly 25, 2024

In Brief: Body Found In Tarp At Mirror Lake ID’d As Colorado Homicide Victim
The body of a man found wrapped in a tarp and dumped at Mirror Lake in southern Wyoming has been identified. He’s a 56-year-old from Colorado, and the case is being investigated as a homicide, the Albany County sheriff said Thursday.
Jen KocherJuly 25, 2024

In Brief: Yellowstone Contract Worker Who Threatened Mass Shooting Gets Probation
A worker for a Yellowstone contractor was sentenced to five years of probation Tuesday for threatening a “mass shooting” a day after another died in a shootout with park rangers.
Clair McFarlandJuly 25, 2024

In Brief: Lovell Woman Focus Of Urgent Search Found Safe In Montana
A 20-year-old Lovell woman who was the subject of an urgent search was found safe in Montana on Wednesday.
Jen KocherJuly 25, 2024

Wife Claims Husband Died From Gangrene After Doctors Found He Was Illegal Immigrant
Ociel Perez died of flesh-eating gangrene after being discharged from St. John's Health in Jackson, Wyoming, according to a lawsuit. His wife alleges doctors didn't treat him properly after finding he was an illegal immigrant.
Clair McFarlandJuly 25, 2024

Douglas Woman Accepts Plea Deal For 10 Years Prison For Killing Mother
Edwina "GiGi" Leman has admitted to abusing her 81-year-old mother, and didn't argue that the elderly woman's injuries led to her death. Leman has struck a plea deal stipulating between 10 and 20 years in prison.
Clair McFarlandJuly 24, 2024

Search Underway for Missing University of Wyoming Professor
A massive ground search is underway for a University of Wyoming professor who has been missing for more than two weeks. Searchers believe he could be on his bicycle, which was missing from his apartment.
Jen KocherJuly 24, 2024

After Brother Opens Fire On Him, Meeteetse Man Gets Away In Shooter’s Truck
A Meeteetse, Wyoming, man made a harrowing getaway last week when his brother shot out his window with a handgun. He escaped by getting into the shooter’s truck and driving off.
Clair McFarlandJuly 23, 2024

Sheridan Man Accused Of Bludgeoning Mother To Death Not Sane Enough For Trial
A Sheridan man accused to bludgeoning is mother to death and hiding her body under gas-soaked blankets isn’t sane enough to stand trial. A Circuit Court judge has ordered an evaluation to see if he can ever be made competent to be prosecuted.
Clair McFarlandJuly 23, 2024

Missing Lovell Woman Last Seen On Foot, Without Cellphone Or Wallet
An urgent search is on for a 20-year-old Lovell, Wyoming, woman who’s been missing since Saturday night who officials fear may be in danger.
Jen KocherJuly 22, 2024

Gillette Man Accused Of Stealing Thousands In Ex-Wife’s DraftKings Winnings
A Gillette man faces a felony theft charge after thousands of dollars his ex-wife won betting on DraftKings was accidentally deposited into his bank account. The man has denied taking the money, although evidence shows it was later moved into his savings account.
Clair McFarlandJuly 22, 2024

Most Wyoming Car Thefts Come Down To Leaving Them Unlocked, Keys In Them
Despite tech advances and a huge rise in video surveillance, a growing number Wyoming car thefts happen because they're left unlocked or with the keys inside. Multiple Cowboy State cities also report older vehicles are targeted more than newer.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 22, 2024

Thieves Steal Prized Gibson Les Paul Guitar After Tree Falls On Cheyenne House
A giant tree fell on Chris Hoover’s house and demolished it in April. But the real blow to his soul came last week when thieves broke into the condemned home and stole the musician’s prized 1977 Gibson Les Paul guitar.
Jake NicholsJuly 20, 2024

Cody Cops Shut Down Kids’ Lemonade Stand In City Park
A group of kids set up a lemonade stand in Mentock Park in Cody on Thursday, but within a few hours, the stand and the kids were shut down for not having a permit after someone called the Cody Police Department.
Andrew RossiJuly 19, 2024
