Public Land Offenses
Braden Kyle Winters, 34, of Grand Junction, Colorado, was sentenced to seven days in jail and fined $1,500 plus court costs for driving under the influence. In addition, he received two years of unsupervised probation and a ban from Yellowstone National Park, for the same period, for failure to comply with a traffic control device. According to the citation, Winters was observed by a U.S. Park Ranger getting into his vehicle with an open can of beer in his hand. He then drove the vehicle away from a parking lot, driving with the passenger side tires approximately 1.5 feet over the fog line. He had four passengers in the vehicle with him, three of which were minors. Standard Field Sobriety Tests performed by the Rangers yielded results suggestive of alcohol impairment. Winters provided a breath sample on the Intoxilizer 9000 with a result of .123. This crime was investigated by the National Park Service and the case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Calmes.
Drug Trafficking
Deangela Jordawn Stewart, 31, and Chad Nathan Stewart, 51, of Casper, Wyoming, were each sentenced to 92 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence on Jul. 3 and Jul. 5, respectively. According to court documents, in August 2023, the Central Enforcement Team of the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) identified several distributors of controlled substances in Natrona County, including the Stewarts. When agents attempted to make a controlled buy at the Stewart’s residence, they witnessed a minor present during the transaction and immediately obtained a search warrant. They seized 1.7 pounds of methamphetamine and 11 fentanyl pills. Deangela pleaded guilty on Apr. 11 and Chad pleaded guilty on Apr. 17. This crime was investigated by the DCI, and the case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ava Covert.
Escape from Custody
Wolfe Jon Taylor Willow, 39, of Crowheart, Wyoming, was sentenced to 19 months’ imprisonment for escape from custody. According to court documents, on Jan. 16, the defendant was scheduled to report to the Casper Re-Entry Center after serving a sentence in Victorville, California for failure to register as a sex offender. Willow did not show up in Casper and did not alert anyone to his whereabouts. He turned himself in to the Wind River Police Department 12 days later. Willow pleaded guilty on Apr. 10. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence on Jul. 3. This crime was investigated by the U.S. Marshal Service, and the case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kerry J. Jacobson.
About the United States Attorney’s Office
The United States Attorney’s Office is responsible for representing the federal government in virtually all litigation involving the United States in the District of Wyoming, including all criminal prosecutions for violations of federal law, civil lawsuits brought by or against the government, and actions to collect judgments and restitution on behalf of victims and taxpayers. The Office is involved in several programs designed to make our communities safer. They include:
Environmental Justice
The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
Project Safe Childhood
Project Safe Childhood (PSC) is a DOJ initiative that combats the proliferation of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation crimes against children. The threat of sexual predators soliciting children for sexual contact is well-known and serious.
Project Safe Neighborhoods
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is a nationwide commitment to reducing gun and gang crime in America by networking existing local programs that target gun crime and providing these programs with additional tools necessary to be successful.
Victim Witness Assistance
The Victim Witness Coordinator for the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming is dedicated to making sure that victims of federal crimes and their family members are treated with compassion, fairness, and respect.
To report a federal crime, go to: https://www.justice.gov/actioncenter/report-crime#trafficking