CASPER, Wyo. — The 11-year federal sentence for a Gillette man convicted of meth distribution is among the sentences rendered in District of Wyoming federal courts last month, according to a release Tuesday by the U.S. Justice Department.

Jonathan Dennis Roberts, 41, and Sarah Louise Hutchinson, both of Gillette, were busted coming back from Colorado last year with about 0.83 pounds of methamphetamine, according to case documents. Hutchinson is set for sentencing on Dec 4. More on that case can found here.

Below are summaries of the drug and firearm cases that went to sentencing last month, as provided by the U.S. Justice Department.

On Feb. 11, 2025, staff at a Sheridan motel located alerted law enforcement after finding about 0.71 pounds of methamphetamine under the bedsheets in a room rented by Sheridan resident Kolter Kekich and his dating partner, according to the release. 

Later that day, Wyoming DCI agents and the Sheridan Police Department tried to arrest Kekich, who fled and led police on a high-speed pursuit that ended in a wreck. 

“While refusing to exit his vehicle after the wreck, the defendant began to consume large amounts of drugs resulting in an overdose,” the release said. Law enforcement located additional drugs, drug paraphernalia and $1,360 inside the vehicle. 

Kekich, 30, was sentenced on Oct. 28 to 120 months’ imprisonment with four years of supervised release to follow by U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson in Cheyenne. He pleaded guilty on Aug. 8 to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  

Scott VanGoethen, 54, of Cheyenne, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to leading a large-scale methamphetamine distribution ring and illegally possessing 15 firearms.

Investigators discovered VanGoethen was driving to Colorado to obtain significant quantities of methamphetamine, which he then sold to his neighbors. The neighbors were involved in distributing the drug further. More on that case can be found here.

Lyman resident Robert Alexander, 43, was sentenced to 121 months’ imprisonment with four years of supervised release to follow for aiding and abetting in the distribution of methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

DCI agents got about 1.36 pounds of methamphetamine over six controlled buys from Alexander’s co-conspirator, identified in the indictment as Shaleen Ungircht, between August and December 2024. A search of Alexander and Ungircht’s residence “uncovered large quantities of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, firearms, and ammunition,” the release said.  

Alexander was indicted on May 21 and pleaded guilty on Aug. 25. U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence on Oct. 2 in Casper.

Gillette resident Christopher Dakota Daniel Pierce, 39, was sentenced to 37 months’ imprisonment with three years of supervised release to follow for being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

On Jan. 9, 2025, Campbell County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Pierce’s residence for a domestic disturbance, the release said. On scene, deputies received consent to search the home and ultimately located six firearms that Pierce, a previously convicted felon, had access to. Pierce was indicted on May 21 and pleaded guilty on July 18. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Kelly H. Rankin imposed the sentence on Oct. 15 in Cheyenne. 

Evans, Colorado, resident Jade Mikel Shane, 46, was sentenced to 168 months’ imprisonment with five years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. In February 2024, Wyoming DCI agents began an investigation into drug trafficking in Sheridan and Campbell counties. 

“Through the investigation, agents learned the defendant used his residence as a storage and distribution hub for large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl,” the release said. A search warrant executed on Sept. 5, 2024, led to the seizure of significant amounts of controlled substances and numerous firearms. 

DCI worked with a task force in Weld County, Colorado on the case. Shane was indicted on Jan. 15 and pleaded guilty on June 5. U.S. District Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence on Oct. 8 in Casper.

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