Crime & Courts
News
Judge Won’t Dismiss Sheridan Man’s “Sucker-Punch” Manslaughter Case Early
A judge declined Tuesday to dismiss the case of a man accused of killing a Sheridan hockey coach with a blow the coach's girlfriend called a "sucker punch." Cody McCalla claimed he acted in self-defense after getting into a fight with the victim.Â
Clair McFarlandFebruary 06, 2025
In Brief: Man In Big Piney Home Found Dead, Other Man Questioned
A man was found dead of "significant injuries" Wednesday in a home in Big Piney, the Sublette County Sheriff's Office reports. Another adult male was detained for questioning.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 06, 2025
Governor, AG Say Judge Misapplied Law When Striking Down Abortion Bans
The Wyoming Attorney General’s Office argued this week that a judge misapplied the law when she struck down two abortion bans in November. The AG claims in a filing that the judge leaned on an abortion-friendly doctors' testimony when proclaiming abortion "health care."
Clair McFarlandFebruary 05, 2025
Coroner's Report: Senior Died Of Hypothermia At Gillette Assisted Living Center
A coroner's report released Tuesday revealed an ongoing investigation into two deaths at a Gillette assisted living center. In January, an 88-year-old resident was found dead of hypothermia outside while a 66-year-old resident died of an overdose in November. Five employees have been terminated.
Jen KocherFebruary 05, 2025
Evanston Snowmobiler Killed In Avalanche; Friends Say Man Was 'Too Good For This Earth'
Scott Wright, 37, of Evanston, Wyoming, was killed in an avalanche in Utah on Monday, authorities say. A friend of his told Cowboy State Daily that Wright was an avid snowmobiler who loved working on the machines and building them.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 05, 2025
Former Riverton School Board Candidate Gets 25-30 Years For Molesting Child
Hunter DeVries, 23, was sentenced Tuesday to 25-30 years in prison for molesting a child over the course of several months. He ran for the local school board last year, and despite showing remorse, deserves a “lengthy prison sentence,” the judge said.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 04, 2025
Woman Accused Of Leading Five Law Enforcement Agencies On Wild Riverton Chase, Crashing Into Deputy
A woman charged Friday is accused of leading at least five police agencies on a chase in Riverton, Wyoming. She sped over spike strips, pulled a U-turn on the highway and rammed a deputy's truck while drinking from a bottle of alcohol, court documents say.Â
Clair McFarlandFebruary 04, 2025
Law Catches Up To Man Accused Of Scamming Saratoga’s $10,000 Ice Fishing Derby
The law has caught up to a man accused of scamming the Saratoga Ice Fishing Derby in 2018. He sold an insurance policy against the derby’s $10,000 prize, and when someone won, didn’t pay out. He’s accused of defrauding others of nearly $1 million.
Renée JeanFebruary 03, 2025
Juvenile Suspected Of Shooting Two At Sweetwater County Bonfire Party
No one was in custody Monday for a shooting in which two young adults were hurt at a Saturday bonfire party outside Reliance, Wyoming. Two people were hospitalized, and the suspected shooter is a juvenile, the Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office says. Â
Clair McFarlandFebruary 03, 2025
No Charges Filed So Far In Fatal Thermopolis Hit And Run
No criminal charges have been filed so far against a juvenile involved in a fatal hit and run that killed an 85-year-old woman in Thermopolis last week, the Wyoming Highway Patrol said on Saturday.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 01, 2025
Supreme Court Backs Non-Violent Offenders Getting Treatment Instead Of Jail
The Wyoming Supreme Court is supporting a pilot Casper Municipal Court program to get non-violent offenders mental help instead of jail. The program can save the city money and become a model for the rest of the state.
Dale KillingbeckFebruary 01, 2025
Former Bar Nunn Fire Chief Accused Of Stealing From Fill The Boot Fundraiser
The former fire chief for Bar Nunn, Wyoming, was in court Thursday to face multiple felony charges. He’s accused of using a department credit card for personal purchases and stealing more than $2,600 from an MDA Fill the Boot fundraiser.
Dale KillingbeckJanuary 31, 2025
Accused Gillette Kidnapper Doesn't Help Case By Apologizing In Court
A Gillette man accused of kidnapping a woman and leading deputies on a high-speed chase up to 170 mph didn’t help his case by apologizing in court Thursday. Although warned by the judge not to incriminate himself, he said, “I feel sorry for what I did."
Clair McFarlandJanuary 31, 2025
Wyoming One Of 6 States Without Missing Person Protocols; New Law Would Change That
Wyoming is one of six states without protocols for when people go missing. A bill that passed to the state Senate on Thursday would change that, requiring timely reporting and listing on national databases.
Jen KocherJanuary 31, 2025
Montana Drug Trafficker Who Wouldn’t Flip Accused Of Bear Spraying Girlfriend
When a drug smuggler busted in Butte, Montana, wouldn’t flip and become an informant, he went on the run. Then a domestic violence call revealed the true scope of his crime spree, including bear-spraying a girlfriend.
David MadisonJanuary 31, 2025
Gillette Man Accused Of Shooting Half-Sister In The Face To Face Murder Trial
A Gillette man accused of killing his half-sister last week when he allegedly shot her in the face was in court Thursday, but not for long. He waived a preliminary hearing and will face a murder trial.
Jen KocherJanuary 30, 2025
Wyoming Trainer Helps With Rescue Of 86 Neglected Morgan Horses In Montana
When a Montana horse breeder allegedly stopped caring for his herd of Morgans, a pair of ranch hands alerted authorities. A Wyoming trainer has been part of the rescue effort to save 86 neglected Morgans.
David MadisonJanuary 30, 2025
Wyoming Man Faces 548 Years In Prison Over Disturbing Child Porn Allegations
A Reliance, Wyoming, man is facing a half-millennium in prison on claims he kept and transferred disturbing child-sex pictures and videos. He pleaded not guilty to 31 of the 54 charges against him Wednesday.Â
Clair McFarlandJanuary 30, 2025
Eight Wyoming Sheriffs Seeing Mystery Drones Still Have No Answers
The White House says the drones over New Jersey last year were authorized. But that doesn't explain what multiple Wyoming sheriffs who reached out to Cowboy State Daily say they're seeing over power plants and oil fields.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 29, 2025
Fake "Bitcoin Billionaire" Cheated Jackson Businesses Out Of $212K, Prosecutors Say
Passing himself off as a "bitcoin billionaire," a 30-year-old California man was able to cheat Jackson, Wyoming, businesses out of nearly $212,000 for resort stays, bar tabs and a new Dodge Ram, prosecutors allege.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 29, 2025
Casper Teen Who Said “I Hope I Killed One” After Shooting At Homes Pleads Guilty
A 15-year-old Casper boy who reportedly told friends “I hope I killed one” pleaded guilty Wednesday to shooting a 10 mm pistol into two homes in August. He faces up to 10 years in prison.
Dale KillingbeckJanuary 29, 2025
Cheyenne Woman Accused Of Stabbing Husband, Who Died After Refusing Treatment
A Cheyenne woman accused of stabbing her husband now faces a murder charge after he died four days later, the Cheyenne Police Department reported Tuesday. The alleged victim initially refused treatment at the scene. Â
Clair McFarlandJanuary 28, 2025
Transient Pleads Guilty To Breaking Laramie Woman’s Face
A transient man accused of breaking his ex-girlfriend’s face after she asked him to leave her home pleaded guilty Monday in a Laramie courthouse. David Leyba, 60, evaded arrest for nearly a year after the attack.Â
Clair McFarlandJanuary 27, 2025
Feds Raid Denver Party, Arrest 49 Illegal Immigrants; Investigations Ongoing In Wyoming
Federal agents on Sunday raided a private party in southeast Denver and arrested 49 illegal aliens including alleged members of Tren de Aragua. Agents say investigations are ongoing in Wyoming.
Jen KocherJanuary 27, 2025