Crime & Courts
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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
Prosecutor Clears Cheyenne Cops Who Killed Man Who Took Wife Hostage
Laramie County’s top prosecutor said Thursday she won’t pursue charges against the Cheyenne Police Department officers who shot and killed a man who took his wife hostage. The man also shot at cops during standoff.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 02, 2025
Drunken Beer Run Allegedly Ends With Casper Man Pulling Gun, Calling 911
A 35-year-old Casper man is accused of pulling a gun on another couple after hitting them while on a drunken beer run. Court records made available Thursday allege he pointed a gun in a woman’s face and at her boyfriend.
Dale KillingbeckJanuary 02, 2025
Video Of Rodeo Horse From Cheyenne Drowning In Montana Triggers Investigation
A horse from Cheyenne was bought by a Montana college rodeo rider, but drowned in a pond before they got to compete together. A disturbing video of the drowning posted last week has infuriated locals, triggered an investigation and prompted demands for justice.
David MadisonJanuary 01, 2025