Two sentenced in district court

Monday afternoon in Hot Springs District Court, Lane Gunkel was sentenced to a period of seven to nine years in the Wyoming State Penitentiary. That sentence comes with a recommendation he attend the Boot Camp program. Should he complete the program, Gunkel would be eligible for a reduced sentence.

In October, Gunkel changed his plea to guilty on a charge of third-degree sexual abuse of a minor. The charge was amended from a second-degree abuse charge, and additional counts of second-degree sexual abuse of a minor and third degree sexual abuse of a minor were dismissed. The charges stem from a Feb. 9 incident.

Gunkel believes by atte nding the Boot Camp program he will be more productive and a better citizen. He knows failing in the program means serving the prison term.

Judge Robert E. Skar noted Gunkel has an opportunity to not be impacted by a lengthy sentence, and his behavior in the program will determine eligibility for a sentence reduction. Gunkel was also fined $3,000, though that fine will be suspended upon successful completion of the Boot Camp.

Also in court, Autumn Boyle was sentenced to a period of two to four years at the Wyoming Women’s Center. However, that sentence was suspended for a period of four years supervised probation.

On Oct. 4, Autumn Boyle pleaded guilty to endangering a child — exposure to meth — and driving under the influence. The prison sentence was passed on the endangering charge, along with a $3,000 fine that was also suspended. On the DUI charge, Boyle was sentenced to 90 days in jail and fined $500; that sentenced is also suspended.

The charges stem from a May 28 incident, during which a vehicle she was driving was stopped; methamphetamine and paraphernalia were found inside. During Monday’s proceedings, Boyle said she had used before she got in the vehicle and drove, and the substance made her incapable of driving a vehicle safely.

Boyle also was facing a possible bond revocation, as it was alleged on Oct. 10 and 11 she tested presumptively positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine; that was later confirmed Oct. 21. Also, she admitted to using a controlled substance on Oct. 16, and attempted to submit someone else’s urine for her own during a UA.

During court proceedings, prosecuting attorney Marcia Bean requested the order for bond revocation be dismissed, as she felt justice was served with the sentence.

Prior to sentencing, Boyle said she’s applied for treatment and wants to get her life back on track. She believes she can continue to be sober even following the probation.

A probation sentence was reinstated for Broderick Hopper.

Hopper was sentenced May 18, 2015 on a theft charge, which stemmed from a Jan. 22, 2015 incident during which he stole a vehicle from T-Town Auto. He pleaded no contest to the charge.

Though given a period of one to three years with the Wyoming Department of Corrections, the sentence was suspended and Hopper was instead given five years supervised probation. On Oct. 3 he admitted to several violations, including driving without a valid license, missing appointments with the probation officer, failing to show efforts to gain employment and not paying restitution.

During Monday’s proceedings, that probation was revoked and reinstated. Hopper had completed about one year and four months of the sentence, so he has yet to complete about another 3.5 years. The probation sentence requires he report to Probation and Parole in Riverton within 24 hours, and report to drug court in Fremont County and complete the drug court program.