Crime & Courts
News
Volkswagen Bug Breaks Down So Alleged Drug Dealer Can't Finish Meth Run
A Gillette drug dealer couldnât finish his methamphetamine run from Colorado last month because his Volkswagen bug slowed to a smoke-spewing crawl when he hit Chugwater, court documents say.Â
Clair McFarlandJuly 17, 2024
Big Piney Man Faces 260 Years In Prison For Possession, Delivery of Child Pornography
A Big Piney man who allegedly went by the display name of "wyonaked" in an internet chat room was caught up in a sting where he was arrested on 24 counts of possession and distribution of child pornography. He faces up to 264 years in prison.
Jen KocherJuly 17, 2024
Casper Millionaire's Son Loses Inheritance For Suing Co-Heirs
A Casper millionaireâs son lost his portion of a $4 million inheritance for suing co-beneficiaries of his fatherâs estate, the Wyoming Supreme Court ruled Tuesday.
Clair McFarlandJuly 17, 2024
Wyoming Man Dead In Nebraska Semi Vs. Freight Train Crash
One Wyoming man died and one was injured Tuesday after a semi truck reportedly tried to beat a train to a temporary crossing on a curved Nebraska highway.
Clair McFarlandJuly 17, 2024
Rock Springs Woman Accused Of Stealing Ex's Gun While Texting Him About It
A Rock Springs woman accused of breaking into her ex-boyfriendâs home to steal a gun while sending him suspicious text messages about it faces up to 25 years in prison.Â
Clair McFarlandJuly 16, 2024
Evanston Horse Molester Gets Maximum Sentence For Bestiality
James Botkin on Monday accepted a plea agreement giving him the maximum sentence for bestiality after he was arrested for sexually violating a horse at the Uinta County fairgrounds. He was sentenced to a year in jail.Â
Clair McFarlandJuly 16, 2024
Man Arrested In Alleged Sexual Abuse Of Horse In Evanston
A Texas couple said they caught a man early Monday in a stall at the Uinta County fairgrounds violating their horse. The man has been charged with one count of bestiality and faces one year in jail, if convicted.
Clair McFarlandJuly 15, 2024
A Punch Over A Parking Dispute Kills Sheridan Hockey Coach Â
Sheridan hockey coach Patrick Mudd died over the weekend, after he was allegedly "sucker punched" in a parking lot outside of the Sheridan WYO rodeo. The hockey community laid their sticks outside his home in mourning.
Clair McFarlandJuly 15, 2024
Wyoming Twins On Mission To Unravel Deaths Of 'Motel Mike' And 'Pine Bluffs Pete'
Megan McWilliams and Ashley Kroner are twins and genealogists who investigate some of the region's coldest cold cases and missing people mysteries. The Wyoming women are now working to unravel the decades-old deaths of "Motel Mike" and "Pine Bluffs Pete."
Jen KocherJuly 14, 2024
Drunk Worland Man Charged With Trying To Steal Puppy Out Of Shelter
A drunk Worland, Wyoming, man who wasnât allowed to adopt a bulldog-mix puppy was caught allegedly cutting through a chain-link fence to steal the pup.
Clair McFarlandJuly 12, 2024
Gillette Teen Tops 155 MPH In Mustang While Running From Cops
A Gillette teen ran from cops at more than 155 mph Wednesday night, then hid in a field before he was arrested.
Jen KocherJuly 12, 2024
Wind River Reservation Man Accused Of Raping Runaway Girl
Accused of getting a 14-year-old runaway drunk, putting her in a chokehold and molesting her, a 32-year-old Crowheart, Wyoming, man faces a potential lifetime in prison.
Clair McFarlandJuly 12, 2024
Detective: Coin Shop Suspect, Neighborhood Not Searched After 2015 Double Murder
A Cheyenne police detective testified during a Friday hearing that the man now suspected of killing two men during a 2015 robbery wasnât searched at the time. He also testified the neighborhood around The Coin Shop also wasnât searched.
Leo WolfsonJuly 12, 2024
Motorcycle Gang Rivalry Boils Over At Wyoming Truck Stop Â
When members of the Mongols Motorcycle Club came across a man wearing a Hellâs Angels jacket at a Wamsutter truck stop, the rivalry between the gangs boiled over. Now seven Mongols face felony charges for robbery and intimidation.
Clair McFarlandJuly 12, 2024
Scam Uses Fake Lost Wyoming Kid To Prey On Sympathies Of Potential Victims
A sad Facebook post in southwest Wyoming asks people to help reunite a lost little boy with his mom. Problem is, itâs a made-up sob story to exploit people with good hearts, says the Rock Springs Police Department.
Jen KocherJuly 12, 2024
Authorities Investigating What Caused Idaho Womanâs Car To Drive Off 60-Foot Cliff
Many questions remain as officials investigate the death of an Idaho woman in Grand Teton National Park. Among those is what caused her car to drive off a 60-foot cliff and plunge into a river?
Jen KocherJuly 11, 2024
'Luckiest Kid In Sublette County' Demolishes Old Post Office With 5th-Wheel
The old post office in Marbleton, Wyoming, was demolished when a 17-year-old took a corner too fast and launched a truck and trailer through it. The owner of the building said the teen is the âluckiest kid in Sublette Countyâ for walking away alive.
Clair McFarlandJuly 11, 2024
Rock Springs Hostage Fought Husband For Gun While Taking A Beating
A woman held hostage at gunpoint by her estranged husband fought him for the weapon while taking a beating, court documents say. The man eventually gave up, but not before terrorizing his wife and repeatedly telling her they both would die.
Clair McFarlandJuly 11, 2024
In Brief: Man Charged With Fighting Arrest, Breaking Leg Of Casper Police Officer
A 41-year-old Evansville man who wanted to use drugs one more time before entering treatment is accused of breaking the leg of a Casper police officer while fighting his arrest.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 10, 2024
In Brief: Gillette 18-Year-Old Burned When Bucket Of Gas Spills In Car
A Gillette 18-year-old who had a bucket of gasoline in a car was burned early Wednesday morning. After gas had sloshed out of the bucket inside the car, a teen lit it on fire thinking it would burn off the spilled gas but not damage the car.
Clair McFarlandJuly 10, 2024
In Brief: Sorry, Thieves, $14 Million Treasure Stashed In Smoot Home Is Gone
Cowboy State Daily reported Tuesday about a massive $14 million heist of gold, silver and cash from a Smoot, Wyoming, home. Now the local sheriff has a message for other potential thieves: Sorry, thereâs no more treasure stashed there.
Clair McFarlandJuly 10, 2024
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 âlost my cool.â
Clair McFarlandJuly 10, 2024
Man Accused Of Stealing $14 Million In Gold And Silver From Fatherâs Wyoming Home
A Las Vegas man is accused of stealing $14 million in gold and silver from his fatherâs home in Smoot, Wyoming. He reportedly told investigators he didnât 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. Itâs being investigated as a homicide, the Albany County Sheriffâs 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 heâs gone through waves of emotion since an arrest was made two weeks ago. âI cried and cried and cried,â 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 Wyomingâs 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 HerÂ
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 âTree Killerâ
A man known around Casper by the nickname âTree Killerâ whoâs 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 Wyomingâs new law against synthetic cannabis variants unlawful by Congressâ standards, and to block it going forward.
Clair McFarlandJuly 03, 2024
Wyomingâs First Black Female Prison Warden Loses Hostile Workplace Lawsuit
A federal jury ruled Tuesday that the Wyoming Department of Corrections did not create an unlawfully hostile work environment for the stateâs first Black female prison warden, who claimed corruption within her ranks.
Clair McFarlandJuly 02, 2024
âLife-Threateningâ Injuries For 14-Year-Old Casper Skateboarder Who Hit SUV
A 14-year-old Casper girl on a skateboard suffered âlife-threateningâ injuries when she collided with an SUV on Monday evening.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 02, 2024
Gillette Foursome Accused Of Pistol-Whipping Men In Retaliation For Kidnapping
After a Gillette woman told her friends an ex-boyfriend had kidnapped her Saturday, they allegedly barged into a shop, held two men at gunpoint and pistol-whipped them.
Clair McFarlandJuly 02, 2024