(Editor's note: the article was changed to correct a typo in the print version of this article.)
A number of arrests took place last week in conjunction with a year-long investigation regarding methamphetamine trafficking in the area.
According to a release from the Wyoming Department of Criminal Investigation, 33 Sweetwater County residents were indicted by a grand jury last week for drug-based offenses. Two others under investigation by DCI were previously indicted through a federal grand jury on drug charges.
According to Deputy County Attorney Teresa Thybo, District Court Judge Nena James convened the grand jury at DCI’s request. A grand jury is a 12-person body capable of determining if there is probable cause a crime occurred and can indite alleged criminals. The grand jury is selected from a pool of jurors and is in place for maximum of one year. A grand jury’s indictment effectively skips the circuit courts’ role in felony-level cases and brings defendants directly into district court for their arraignment and initial pleas. Using information and evidence provided by DCI, Thybo argued for the incitements, ultimately convincing the grand jury to issue true bills against everyone under investigation by DCI. The true bills, documents signed by the grand jury’s foreman, mean the group of jurors believe probable cause was sufficient for the crime and resulted in arrest warrants being issued for the defendants. She said the indictments were issued last Tuesday, with arrests starting Wednesday. The last time a grand jury was convened in Sweetwater County was in 2001 to indite Robert James Duke in the 1996 deaths of his wife and child at Lost Dog.
County Attorney Daniel Erramouspe said grand juries are effective in situations involving cold-case crimes and large numbers of defendants. Erramouspe said the routine route for a large-scale prosecution through the court system can place a burden on the circuit courts as the defendants make their initial appearances in the circuit court until they are bound over to district court.
Thybo said the arrests stemmed from three separate investigations being conducted at the same time. Those investigations became intertwined as they continued. Thybo said both district court judges presided over hearings involved with the indictments. Thybo said those appearing before District Court Judge Richard Lavery have already pleaded not guilty to their charges and have had court dates set for January. Those appearing before Judge James had their pleas postponed to allow the defendants the chance to seek legal counsel.
One Green River resident was indicted by the federal grand jury. Kimberly Smith, 33, faces federal charges of one count of conspiracy with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine and two counts of unlawful possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Of the 33 indicted locally, 18 were either current or former residents of Green River. They are:
Ashley Houchin, 30, formerly of Green River, was charged with four counts of delivery of methamphetamine, 11 counts of conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine and one count of delivery of Xanax.
Denise White, 58, was charged with two counts of conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine.
Lister Travis, 31, of both Green River and Flint, Mich., was charged with conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine.
Paul Vigil, 43, was charged with conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine.
Tiffany Rundle, 31, was charged with conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine and delivery of methamphetamine.
Erika Hill, 25, was charged with conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine.
Connie Hanks, 57, was charged with two counts of conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine.
Randy Britt, 31, was charged 14 counts of delivery of methamphetamine, 16 counts of conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine and one count of delivery of marijuana.
Anthony Costello, 28, formerly of Green River, was charged with delivery of marijuana.
Timothy Dow, 23, was charged with conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine.
Peggy Schmidt, 32, was charged with conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine and delivery of methamphetamine.
Stormie Prime, 23, was charged with conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine.
Timothy Gibson, 45, was charged with five counts of conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine. Gibson also faces additional charges stemming from his arrest and alleged attempt to flee officers serving his warrant. His charges include eluding a peace officer, reckless driving, interference with a peace officer and no driver’s license.
Stacey Vernon, 31, formerly of Green River, was charged with conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine and delivery if methamphetamine.
Johnnie Reitz, 47, was charged with two counts of conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine.
Dustin Piccolo, 35, of both Green River and Price, Utah, was charged with five counts of conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine.
Roy Dow, 26, was charged with conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine and delivery of methamphetamine.
Alfred Bramwell, 57, was charged with conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine and delivery of methamphetamine.
Additionally, 10 residents of Rock Springs and one from Reliance were also indicted. They were:
Courtney Westby, 28, was charged with conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine.
Misty Randall, 39, of Rock Springs, was charged with conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine.
Deena Bernal, 39, was charged with conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine.
Beau Davison, 30, was charged with conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine.
Rusti Estep, 38, was charged with conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine.
Amber Garcia, 28, was charged with conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine. She had been previously arrested on state charges resulting from the investigation.
Joshua Bigley, 34, was charged with conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine.
Richard Saiz, 18, was charged with conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine.
Thomas Weinel, 33, was charged with four counts of conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine.
Tyrel Boniol, 39, was charged with three counts of conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine and one count of delivery of methamphetamine.
Timothy Kielly, 29, of Reliance, was charged with conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine.
Also, three residents from Big Piney and one from West Valley, Utah, were indicted for their alleged involvement in delivering methamphetamine to the area.
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