Wyoming

Public lands, firearms offenses sentenced in Wyoming district federal courts

Published

4 days ago

March 28, 2025

Public lands, firearms offenses sentenced in Wyoming district federal courts

CASPER, Wyo — The U.S. Justice Department announced the following sentences rendered in the District of Wyoming this week. The summaries from the U.S. Attorney’s Office are as follows:

Firearm Offenses

Jeffrey Cletus Geist, 58, of Gillette, Wyoming, was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment, with three years of supervised release to follow for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, on March 12, 2024, the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office stopped Geist on his motorcycle for a traffic violation. A canine was deployed on the exterior of the motorcycle and immediately alerted to the presence of narcotics. Deputies located three bags of methamphetamine and a 9mm handgun.

“Geist is a previously convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing a firearm,” the release said. Geist was indicted on Sept.18, 2024 and pleaded guilty on Dec. 18, 2024. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence on March 11 in Casper.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office investigated the crime. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christyne Martens prosecuted the case.

Joshua Roye Dunn, 36, of Sheridan, Wyoming, was sentenced to 36 months of supervised probation for being in possession of an unregistered firearm. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Sheridan Police Department investigated the crime. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paige Hammer prosecuted the case. Dunn was indicted on July 18, 2024, pleaded guilty on Dec. 13, 2024, and Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence on March 26 in Cheyenne.

Drug Trafficking and Illegal Reentry of a Previously Deported Alien

Cesar Antancio Torres-Cazares, 36, of La Piedad, Michoacan, Mexico, was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment with three years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and time served for illegal reentry into the United States. He will be deported following his imprisonment.

According to court documents, in November 2023, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation began investigating a cocaine drug trafficking organization in the Jackson, Wyoming, area. Agents conducted a controlled buy from Torres-Cazares, which led agents to his residence, where they found large quantities of cocaine and proof of distribution. After he was arrested, Immigration and Customs Enforcement was contacted because Torres-Cazares is not a U.S. citizen, had previously been removed from the U.S., and had not applied for permission to reenter.

DCI and ICE investigated the crime. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Seth Griswold and Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the cases. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence on March 26 in Cheyenne.

Public Land Violations

Douglas Wolfley, 49 of Fairview, Wyoming, was sentenced to a 10-day term of incarceration with credit for 2 days served after pleading guilty to driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol in Yellowstone National Park, his third DUI conviction in 10 years. He also pleaded guilty to possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle.

In addition to the term of incarceration, Wolfley was placed on 3 years of unsupervised probation, terms of which include a ban from Yellowstone National Park during that period and was ordered to pay $3,050 in fines and court costs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Calmes prosecuted the case. U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie A. Hambrick imposed the sentence on March 18, 2025.

Angela Flaherty, 44, of Seattle, Washington was sentenced to a 7-day term of incarceration after pleading guilty to violating 36 CFR 7.13(j), which requires all foot travel in thermal areas of Yellowstone National Park be confined to marked trails or boardwalks.

“Ms. Flaherty left the boardwalk and viewing area surrounding Old Faithful geyser and walked approximately 10 feet onto the cone of Old Faithful. Some of her conduct was captured on video by another park visitor,” the release said.

In addition to the term of incarceration, Flaherty was ordered to pay $40 in mandatory court costs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Calmes prosecuted the case. U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie A. Hambrick imposed the sentence on March 19, 2025.

Yiyang Shen, 25 of Doraville, Georgia was sentenced to a 7-day term of incarceration and five years of unsupervised probation, the terms of which include a ban from Yellowstone National Park, after he drove off the designated roadway and parked his vehicle in a thermal area in Yellowstone. He was charged with operating a motor vehicle in a prohibited area in a manner that caused damage to park resources and foot travel in a thermal area not confined to any designated and marked trail or boardwalk. In addition to the terms of incarceration and probation.

Shen is ordered to pay $1,050 in fines and court costs. U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie A. Hambrick imposed the sentence on March 12, 2025.

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Wyoming

San Diego State strikes in transfer portal, lands former Wyoming forward

Published

6 hours ago

April 1, 2025

Press Room

San Diego State strikes in transfer portal, lands former Wyoming forward

When Jeremiah Oden considered San Diego State as a transfer destination, he didn’t need to see Viejas Arena. He’d already been inside it three times.

And when Aztecs coaches considered 6-foot-9 Oden to fill its void at forward, it didn’t need to watch film of him. Oden averaged 13 points while shooting 61% (and 42.9% from 3) for Wyoming in five career games against SDSU.

It’s a match of familiarity, then, and one of necessity. Oden is looking for a spot for his sixth and final college season. SDSU needs a tall, athletic, experienced 4-man who can stretch the floor with Magoon Gwath in the transfer portal.

Oden visited SDSU over the weekend and orally committed to the Aztecs on Monday night.

That figures to be the first of possibly five spring additions after three scholarship players ran out of eligibility and three others (Gwath, Nick Boyd and Demarshay Johnson Jr.) entered the portal. The Aztecs are expected to pursue four veteran transfers and possibly another incoming freshman.

Oden, who grew up in Chicago and goes by “JO,” has career averages of 7.5 points and 3.6 rebounds in three seasons at Wyoming and one at DePaul, bringing 119 games (86 starts) and 1,957 minutes of Division I experience. He transferred to Charlotte for the 2024-25 season to use his COVID year but broke a bone in his foot and never played. A medical waiver gives him a sixth year.

He had five and 11 points at Viejas Arena as a freshman in a pair of games without fans during the pandemic. In three games as a sophomore and junior at Wyoming, he had 17, 15 and 17 points.

At DePaul, he started 24 times and had a season-high 25 points on 6 of 7 shooting behind the arc against Iowa State. He also had 22 points against Louisville and 19 against Marquette.

His career high of 28 came two years ago against Nevada.

His career 3-point accuracy of 31.4% is less impressive, but try telling that to Aztecs coaches; Oden was 9 of 21 behind the arc against them and 6 of 11 in Viejas Arena. He also has a midrange game off the dribble and is agile enough to play the 3-man instead of exclusively being a 4.

When Oden committed to Charlotte last year, coach Aaron Fearne called him “a talented player whose best basketball is still ahead of him (and who) brings length, athleticism and shooting ability to our perimeter in addition to a high level of professionalism, character and NCAA Tournament experience.”

Oden considered SDSU two years ago when he transferred from Wyoming, ultimately choosing an NIL payday and a chance to play in his hometown at DePaul. He fell off the radar when he got hurt at Charlotte, but SDSU coaches stayed in touch with his representatives and quickly pursued him once Gwath entered the portal last Monday.

Originally Published: March 31, 2025 at 6:58 PM PDT

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Wyoming

National Weather Service: Cool Wet Week Ahead In SE Wyoming

Published

18 hours ago

March 31, 2025

Press Room

National Weather Service: Cool Wet Week Ahead In SE Wyoming

Southeast Wyoming will likely get some much needed precipitation this week, if forecasts from the Cheyenne Office of the National Weather Service prove to be accurate.

The agency posted the following on its website:- A fairly dreary week is in store for southeast Wyoming and western Nebraska. Cloudy skies are expected with daily chances for precipitation. Primary precipitation type will be snow out west and rain, rain/snow, and snow east. Beneficial moisture is expected, though likely not a “drought buster” in terms of total accumulation. With cloudy skies and on and off precipitation chances, temperatures will be on the cooler side Tuesday onward.

Cheyenne, Laramie Forecasts

Cheyenne Forecast

Today

A slight chance of rain and snow before noon, then a slight chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 53. South southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tonight

A chance of rain before 2am, then a chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. South southwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tuesday

A chance of rain and snow before 7am, then a chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 47. Windy, with a west northwest wind 10 to 20 mph increasing to 20 to 30 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday Night

A 20 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Blustery, with a west northwest wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.

Wednesday

A slight chance of snow showers before 11am, then a chance of snow, mainly after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 42. Windy, with a west northwest wind 20 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday Night

A 20 percent chance of snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. Blustery.

Thursday

A chance of snow between noon and 1pm, then a chance of snow showers after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Thursday Night

A chance of snow showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.

Friday

A chance of snow showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 39.

Friday Night

Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20.

Saturday

A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35.

Saturday Night

A slight chance of snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 18.

Sunday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 44.

Laramie forecast

Today

A chance of snow before 5pm, then a chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. Breezy, with a west southwest wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tonight

A chance of rain and snow before 8pm, then a chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Breezy, with a southwest wind 20 to 25 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Tuesday

A 40 percent chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 35. Windy, with a west northwest wind 15 to 20 mph increasing to 25 to 30 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph.

Tuesday Night

A 30 percent chance of snow, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. Windy, with a west northwest wind 25 to 35 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph.

Wednesday

A chance of snow showers before 11am, then a chance of snow after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 33. Windy, with a west wind 35 to 40 mph decreasing to 25 to 30 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Wednesday Night

A 20 percent chance of snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. Blustery.

Thursday

Snow likely between noon and 1pm, then snow showers likely after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday Night

A chance of snow showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.

Friday

A chance of snow showers, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32. Breezy.

Friday Night

Snow showers likely, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. Breezy.

Saturday

A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29.

Saturday Night

A slight chance of snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 17.

Sunday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 37. Breezy.

Hulett’s Rogues Gallery Astounding Western History Collection

A gallery of fine art and found Western history

Gallery Credit: Glenn Woods

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Wyoming

Goshen County judge Nathaniel Hibben appointed to First Judicial Court; will represent Laramie County

Published

1 day ago

March 31, 2025

Press Room

Goshen County judge Nathaniel Hibben appointed to First Judicial Court; will represent Laramie County

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Nathaniel Hibben, who has been serving as a Circuit Court judge since 2019, has been appointed as the newest Judicial Court Judge, representing Laramie County, by Governor Mark Gordon. Hibben’s appointment will fill the seat left empty by retiring Judge Steven Sharpe.

Before being appointed a judge in the Wyoming’s Eighth Judicial District, Hibben was in private practice, a municipal judge in Torrington, a public defender and Deputy District Attorney for Goshen County, according to a release from the Governor’s office.

“Once again, the Judicial Nominating Commission provided me with three superlative candidates,” Governor Gordon said. “Judge Hibben’s consistent application of the law as a Circuit Court judge and his balanced legal experience will be valuable in his new role.”

Hibben’s appointment as First Judicial Court Judge for the State of Wyoming will begin May 9, 2025.

For more information on the activities and goals of the Wyoming executive, see Governor Mark Gordon’s official government website.

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