Crime & Courts | Cowboy State Daily

Rock Springs School District Trans ‘Privacy’ Policy Under Review By Federal Court

The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals is considering whether a Rock Springs school district’s transgender “privacy” policy violates parents’ rights. A local couple says behind the policy, teachers called their daughter by a boy name without telling them.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 22, 2026

Casper Man Plows Into Patrol Trucks During Wild 100 MPH Chase

A 31-year-old Casper is accused of plowing into multiple patrol vehicles during a wild 100 mph chase through Bar Nunn and Mills. He’ll be in court Tuesday to face multiple felony charges for what police call “a wanton disregard for human life."

Dale KillingbeckJanuary 22, 2026

Cassandra Clinger and her three children. Clinger, a Star Valley High School graduate, was killed by her estranged husband on Jan. 21, 2026. He then reportedly shot himself. The children were not harmed, her family says.

'Satan Got Ahold Of Me' Man Texts After Reportedly Shooting Wife, Then Himself

Moments after reportedly shooting his estranged wife Cassandra Clinger early Wednesday at their home near the Wyoming-Idaho border, 43-year-old Christopher Moon texted his mother-in-law. “Satan, got ahold of me. I’m so sorry, I love her so much,” he wrote.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 22, 2026

Cheyenne mechanic Troy Lake spent months in prison for disabling diesel emissions on commercial trucks. He was later pardoned by President Donald Trump in a case that brought the issue of cumbersome emissions controls for diesel vehicles to the national spotlight.

Department Of Justice Halts Federal Diesel 'Delete' Prosecutions

The U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday announced it's pausing criminal prosecutions of diesel "delete" procedures under the Clean Air Act. The DOJ’s maneuver follows Trump’s Nov. 7 pardon of Wyoming delete mechanic Troy Lake.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 22, 2026

First responders at the scene of a double fatal domestic-related incident in Idaho near Alpine, Wyoming, on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026.

Man Kills Wife, Then Himself After Domestic Incident Near Wyoming/Idaho State Line

A man and a woman are dead after deputies say he shot his wife before ending his own life Wednesday morning in Bonneville County, Idaho, just west of the Wyoming state line, EastIdahoNews.com reports.

Kaitlyn Hart & EastIdahoNews.comJanuary 21, 2026

Casper Man Admits He Bit Off Deputy’s Fingertip In Plea Deal

A 40-year-old Casper man on Wednesday admitted biting off the fingertip of a deputy as part of a plea deal with prosecutors. Originally facing life in prison as a habitual offender, he now could get up to 35 years in prison.

Dale KillingbeckJanuary 21, 2026

Judge Declines To Toss Criminal Charge Against Weston County Clerk

A Wyoming judge declined Wednesday to dismiss misdemeanor charges against Weston County Clerk Becky Hadlock for defying a legislative subpoena on 2024 election issues. Her attorney Ryan Semerad said he'll appeal the ruling "as soon as I'm done walking my dog."

Clair McFarlandJanuary 21, 2026

Suspect In Four-Hour Armed Standoff In Cody Surrenders

A more than four-hour standoff between a man wanted on a warrant and police in Cody ended Wednesday when the man surrendered peacefully. The standoff included multiple law enforcement agencies and, at one point, non-lethal shots were fired.

Andrew RossiJanuary 21, 2026

Norman Edward Cardinal III, 30, of Casper is recovering in a Denver hospital with second- and third-degree burns following an explosion Monday afternoon outside his home.

Casper Man Stable After Explosion Lands Him In Denver Hospital With Serious Burns

A 30-year-old Casper man is recovering in a Denver hospital with second- and third-degree burns following an explosion Monday afternoon outside his home.

Dale KillingbeckJanuary 21, 2026

Casper Man Pleads Not Guilt To Threatening Woman, Shooting Into Her Apartment

A 26-year-old Casper man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to making violent threats against a woman who lived in the apartment above him before firing four shots into his ceiling. Two bullet fragments penetrated through the victim's floor, police say.

Dale KillingbeckJanuary 20, 2026

Wyoming Man Shot By Nebraska Cops After Chase In Critical Condition

A 42-year-old Torrington man remains in critical condition in a Denver hospital Tuesday after a chase through two Nebraska counties ended with him being shot by pursuing law enforcement officers.

Greg JohnsonJanuary 20, 2026

Rick Davis, who once had the email address "drunk.rico@gmail.com", said he's five years sober and looking out for others who might need medical care while in law enforcement custody.

Sheridan Vet In Viral Video Says He's Five-Years Sober, Rebuilding His Life

The Sheridan man whose arrest video from five years ago went viral this week said the police and EMS should have recognized he had a medical emergency. But after several brain surgeries and a bankruptcy, Rick Davis says he’s sober and rebuilding his life.

David MadisonJanuary 16, 2026

1.7 million suspected fentanyl pills and kilos of fentanyl powder seized in Highlands Ranch, CO. November, 2025

Fentanyl Seizures Up 264% In Wyoming; Drugs Funneled By Two Mexican Cartels

Last year, the DEA seized nearly 9 million fentanyl pills and 3,100 pounds of meth across the Rocky Mountain region, with fentanyl seizures in Wyoming up by 264%. The DEA says the drugs are being funneled to Wyoming by two primary Mexican cartels

Jen KocherJanuary 16, 2026

Riverton Man Accused Of Stabbing Family Member And Dog In Bloody Clash

Police say a 22-year-old Riverton man stabbed a family member and wounded a pit bull that was trying to protect the victim. The suspect was arrested hours later hiding in an abandoned home. He faces up to 23 years in prison.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 16, 2026

Sheridan Police body cam footage from Feb. 2021 has resurfaced on social media creating an outcry after claims a disoriented man was treated improperly

Resurfaced Sheridan Police Body Cam Video Causes Outrage On Social Media

Bodycam footage from nearly 5 years ago in Sheridan between 3 police officers and a disoriented man have created outrage on social media. The video maker says the man suffered a stroke and underwent brain surgeries and was not treated properly by police.

David MadisonJanuary 15, 2026

Natrona courthouse with kirkendall 1 15 26

Casper Teen Sentenced To Eight -To-10 Years For Stabbing Friend Over Girl

A 19-year-old Casper man was sentenced to 8 - 10 years in prison Thursday for the stabbing of a 17-year-old boy over a mutual love interest. The victim’s mother told the perpetrator, "“I watched the video of you attempting to take my son’s life."

Dale KillingbeckJanuary 15, 2026

Cody Man Sentenced For Pipe Bombs, Machine Gun; Claimed They Were For "Sporting Purposes"

A Cody man was sentenced to 4.25 years in prison on Wednesday for possessing 28 weapons, including pipe bombs and a machine gun, while he was under a protection order. Ronald Bailey said he was the victim and his weapons were for sporting purposes only.

Dale KillingbeckJanuary 15, 2026

Cheyenne police and the joint Cheyenne Police Department/Laramie County Sheriff's Office SWAT team responded to a standoff at the Bighorn Motel on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. Harold Wayne Sarvis was eventually arrested, charged with attempted second-degree murder.

Cheyenne Standoff Suspect Accused Of Shooting Homeless Man Over $30 Debt

After arguing with a homeless man named Earl over a $30 debt at a long-term stay motel, a 69-year-old man reportedly told Earl to “die, bitch,” then shot him in the chest Friday. A court affidavit available Wednesday says the encounter was caught on video.

Greg JohnsonJanuary 14, 2026

BLM Officer Charged With Murder In Lander Bar Fight

A field officer for the federal Bureau of Land Management was charged Tuesday with second-degree murder, on claims he choked a man to death in a Lander bar fight.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 14, 2026

Agitated Man With Hatchet Forced Out Of Wheatland Basement With Pepper Gas

After reportedly threatening a woman in a Wheatland home Monday evening, an agitated man with a hatchet locked himself in the basement and made threats toward police. A pepper gas grenade brought a quick end to the standoff.

Greg JohnsonJanuary 13, 2026

Mom Accused Of Killing Her 11-Month-Old Son Wants Out Of Jail, Judge Says No

The woman accused of absconding with her son from Wyoming, then killing the 11-month-old when authorities caught up with her, wants out of jail. A New Mexico judge on Monday said no, she’ll remain locked up as she faces a first-degree murder charge.

Jen KocherJanuary 13, 2026

Lander Police Chief Says There Are Multiple Suspects In Fatal Bar Fight

The Lander Police Department has multiple suspects in a Friday-night bar fight that turned fatal. The police chief expects arrests in “the next couple days,” he told Cowboy State Daily on Monday.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 12, 2026

William Autery, 25, is accused of stabbing an older Cheyenne man in the back while trying to steal his backpack and sunglasses. The suspect, who faces an attempted murder charge, claims the stabbing was in self-defense.

Transient Accused Of Stabbing Cheyenne Man While Stealing Backpack, Sunglasses

A 25-year-old transient is accused of stabbing an older Cheyenne man in the back while trying to steal his backpack and sunglasses. The suspect, who faces an attempted murder charge, claims the stabbing was in self-defense.

Dale KillingbeckJanuary 12, 2026

Harold Wayne Sarvis, 69, was involved in a four-hour standoff at a Cheyenne motel with police Friday is facing an attempted first-degree murder charge. Surveillance video at the motel shows the men arguing, then the suspect shooting the other man, police say.

Cheyenne Motel Standoff Suspect Faces Attempted First-Degree Murder Charge

The man involved in a four-hour standoff at a Cheyenne motel with police Friday is facing an attempted first-degree murder charge. Surveillance video at the motel shows the men arguing, then the suspect shooting the other man, police say.

Greg JohnsonJanuary 12, 2026