NOTE: Wyoming statute prohibits public officials from disclosing names and likenesses of defendants charged with crimes of a sexual nature until the case advances beyond a preliminary hearing and the defendant appears for district court arraignment
CASPER, Wyo. — Provided below are the defendants and charges from appearances in Natrona County Circuit Court on Thursday. The Honorable Seventh Judicial Circuit Court Judge Cynthia Sweet presided while Assistant District Attorney Sam Forshner and Chief Deputy District Attorney Blaine Nelson represented the state.
All defendants entering not guilty pleas or charged with felonies are presumed innocent until convicted or pleading guilty. Charges may be amended in future proceedings.
Pleas on felony charges are not entered in circuit court, though bond conditions are set. Misdemeanors charged in same information are engrossed with the felony and pled to in district court.
A bail bondsman can post a surety bond, typically requiring 10–15%. A “personal recognizance” or “signature” bond means there is no money required to get out, but the defendant could owe the full amount if they fail to appear.
Factors affecting bond and sentencing include the nature of the crime, the weight of the evidence, ties to the community, and the defendant’s criminal history, including current bonds or active probations.For probation revocations, the state is only required to prove the allegations in an affidavit for revocation “to a preponderance of the evidence.” For defendants denying probation violations, a new bond is set. For purposes of this document, admissions and denials are represented as guilty and not guilty pleas, respectively.
Standard fees typically include $150 to the Crime Victims Compensation Fund, $70 in court costs and $50 to Drug Court assessment. Additional fines or restitution may be imposed at sentencing.
Felonies and engrossed misdemeanors
- [JAD] Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials (x19), Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Materials (x6)
- $2,000,000 cash-only bond
Guilty and no-contest pleas pleas
- Caleb Nicholas Phelps, 42 — Probation Revocation (DUI: Third in 10 Years)
- 120 days jail, may furlough for approved programming
Not guilty pleas
- Endre Wass, 18 — Minor in Possession of Alcohol, Minor in Possession of Alcohol
