Crime & Courts
News
Laramie Woman Gets 7-10 Years In Prison For Molesting Foster Teen
A Laramie woman was sentenced to 7-10 years in prison Monday after accepting a plea agreement for molesting a 14-year-old foster teen. The boy was living in a youth home where she worked, and her deal includes a reduction of sentence if she gets a GED.
Clair McFarlandJuly 10, 2024
Xanterra Worker Arrested For Mass Shooting Threat Day After Fatal Yellowstone Shootout
A Xanterra worker was arrested Monday for allegedly threatening a mass shooting a day after a fatal shootout park rangers had with another Xanterra employee. He told rangers he just “lost my cool.”
Clair McFarlandJuly 10, 2024
Man Accused Of Stealing $14 Million In Gold And Silver From Father’s Wyoming Home
A Las Vegas man is accused of stealing $14 million in gold and silver from his father’s home in Smoot, Wyoming. He reportedly told investigators he didn’t steal the treasure out of greed, he was just keeping it safe.
Clair McFarlandJuly 10, 2024
In Brief: Body Found Wrapped In Tarp At Mirror Lake Investigated As Homicide
An elderly man found wrapped in tarp near Medicine Bow Peak still has not been identified. It’s being investigated as a homicide, the Albany County Sheriff’s Office said on Tuesday.
Jen KocherJuly 09, 2024
Yellowstone Gunman Was Firing Semiautomatic Weapon Toward Dining Area
The Yellowstone contract employee killed during a Fourth of July shootout with rangers had been firing a semiautomatic weapon, authorities said Tuesday. He had been firing it toward a dining area when confronted by rangers.
Clair McFarlandJuly 09, 2024
Gillette Brothers Arrested For Domestic Assault On Same Night
Two Gillette brothers pleaded not guilty Monday to separate but related domestic assault charges. They were arrested within an hour of each other Sunday.
Jen KocherJuly 09, 2024
Brother Of 2015 Cheyenne Coin Shop Murder Victim Says Arrest Brings Waves Of Emotion
The brother of one of two men killed during the 2015 robbery of The Coin Shop in Cheyenne says he’s gone through waves of emotion since an arrest was made two weeks ago. “I cried and cried and cried,” he said.
Leo WolfsonJuly 09, 2024
Missing Idaho Woman Found Dead In Car In Teton National Park River
An Idaho woman who disappeared June 2 while driving home from Buffalo, Wyoming, has been found dead in her car in a Teton National Park river. The car was found Sunday, and officials confirmed Tuesday Laura Lane was inside.
Jen KocherJuly 09, 2024
Rock Springs Man Arrested After Holding Person Hostage, Locking Children In Car
A Rock Springs man was arrested late Monday after allegedly holding someone hostage in his home and locking three kids in a car. Police say Cody Birdwell eventually surrendered and remains in jail on multiple charges.
Clair McFarlandJuly 09, 2024
Couple Charged With Bear-Spraying Woman Who Drove Through Camp
Accused of blasting a woman who drove through their campsite with bear spray and firing a 9 mm pistol toward her car in the Bridger Teton National Forest, a South Dakota couple now faces up to 10 years in prison.
Clair McFarlandJuly 09, 2024
Former Top Park Service Officials Say Yellowstone Rangers Likely Saved Many Lives
Former top National Park Service officials told Cowboy State Daily on Monday that the response of Yellowstone Park rangers to a gunman threatening a mass shooting on July 4 likely saved many lives.
Clair McFarlandJuly 08, 2024
In Brief: Casper Man Shot During Fourth Of July Fight Over Fireworks
A man was shot and taken to a Casper hospital on the Fourth of July during a fight over personal fireworks. An argument between a small group of people and the man who was shot erupted at the basketball courts at a local park.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 08, 2024
Yellowstone Shooter Took Woman Hostage, Held Her At Gunpoint: Scanner Recording
The Yellowstone contract worker who injured a park ranger and was killed in a shootout on July 4 held a female hostage at gunpoint prior to his death, according to a recording of a "be-on-the lookout" notice aired on the Park County dispatch system hours before.
Clair McFarlandJuly 08, 2024
In Brief: Mirror Lake Reopened After Body Discovered July 4
The popular Mirror Lake Picnic and Fishing Site near the base of Medicine Bow Peak in Wyoming’s Snowy Range reopened Saturday morning after the discovery of a body in the area Thursday.
Jen KocherJuly 06, 2024
Yellowstone Shooter Identified, Was 28-Year-Old Contract Worker From Florida
The man who died in a shootout with Yellowstone National Park rangers on the Fourth of July was 28-year-old Samson Fussner, the Park County Coroner told Cowboy State Daily on Saturday morning.
Clair McFarlandJuly 06, 2024
No Bond For Man Accused Of Gunning Down 2 Men In 2015 Cheyenne Coin Shop Robbery
The man accused of killing two men in the 2015 robbery of The Coin Shop in downtown Cheyenne will stay in jail without bond. Douglas Smith had his initial hearing in court on Friday.
Leo WolfsonJuly 05, 2024
Casper Man Accused Of Bragging About Sex With Young Kids Pleads Not Guilty
A 25-year-old Casper man who allegedly bragged about sex acts with young kids pleaded not guilty Friday. Christopher Schmidt also is accused of inviting other men to participate in the abuse.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 05, 2024
Wyoming Woman Raffling Off Son's Pigs After He Allegedly Stabbed Her
A Campbell County woman whose teenage son allegedly stabbed her in the back while she slept is raffling off his pigs to pay down her medical costs. Winners will receive half a hog each; butchered, cut and wrapped.
Clair McFarlandJuly 04, 2024
One Person Dead After Fourth Of July Shootout In Yellowstone
One person was killed in a shootout with a Yellowstone National Park ranger Thursday morning, after an exchange of gunfire in the Canyon Village. The ranger was injured and is now receiving medical treatment.
Clair McFarlandJuly 04, 2024
More Felonies For Alleged Natrona County Drug Trafficker Named ‘Tree Killer’
A man known around Casper by the nickname “Tree Killer” who’s suspected of being a major trafficker of fentanyl and methamphetamine in central Wyoming faces three new felony charges.
Andrew RossiJuly 03, 2024
In Brief: Pilot Accidentally Turns Off Fuel Switch, Flips Plane In Albany County
A pilot accidentally turned off the fuel switch mid-flight on his plane on Wednesday morning and crash landed in rural Albany County. He suffered minor injuries.
Mark HeinzJuly 03, 2024
Suspect In 2015 Double Murder At Cheyenne Coin Shop Back In Wyoming
The man accused of killing two people in 2015 at The Coin Shop in downtown Cheyenne is back in Wyoming. Douglas Smith has been extradited from California and will have his first court hearing Friday.
Leo WolfsonJuly 03, 2024
Judge Rules Wyoming Doesn't Have To Follow Biden's Trans Bathroom Rules
A federal judge Tuesday said Wyoming doesn't have to follow a new federal rule allowing males identifying as females in school bathrooms. The judge ruled that Title IX doesn't trump free speech, privacy and safety rights of girls.
Clair McFarlandJuly 03, 2024
Hemp Businesses Sue Gordon, State Of Wyoming Over New Cannabis Law
Ten Wyoming hemp businesses and one individual hemp seller on Monday asked a federal judge to declare Wyoming’s new law against synthetic cannabis variants unlawful by Congress’ standards, and to block it going forward.
Clair McFarlandJuly 03, 2024