On the record

On the Record policy

It is the Thermopolis Independent Record’s policy that all people arrested or cited under the “Accidents,” “Sheriff’s office” or “Police department” in the On the Record section are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. We print the names of all people upon their initial arrest.

Sheriff’s Office

Monday, March 6

4:50 p.m. Report of a suspicious vehicle parked alongside Black Mountain Road.

6:01 p.m. Autumn Smith, 26, from Thermopolis, was arrested for alleged possession of methamphetamine and interference with a peace officer. Kevin Acosta Morales, 27, from Evansville, was arrested for alleged interference with a peace officer. 

Wednesday, March 8

6:04 p.m. Report of an elderly male who was confused and had left his residence. The male was located and brought back home. 

Thursday, March 9

7:27 a.m. Report of a single-vehicle rollover at mile marker 138 on Highway 20 North. The investigation was taken over by Wyoming Highway Patrol. 

12:01 p.m. A wallet was found at Exxon. The owner was notified to pick it up. 

5:48 p.m. Teresa Maxine Velasquez, 48, was arrested on an arrest and hold for Probation and Parole. 

Friday, March 10

2:32 p.m. Agency assist for Emergency Medical Services.

7:26 p.m. A motorist struck a rock in the Wind River Canyon in Fremont County and continued driving. A traffic stop was performed on the vehicle and it was found the front driver’s side tire was unusable. The driver was warned for driving with unsafe equipment, and a courtesy ride was given to the driver to a friend’s house. 

Saturday, March 11

3:13 p.m. A traffic stop was performed on a driver for speeding. It was found that an eight-year-old passenger in the vehicle was not in a child safety seat. The parent is working with the Sheriff’s Office to purchase a child safety seat and verify it is installed correctly. 

5:23 p.m. A driver reported they had a tire and hub assembly break off their vehicle while driving on the highway. A tow truck was called for the owner. No damage was located from the uncontrolled tire. 

9:02 p.m. Report of an adult male and adult female who became stuck in a snow drift on the Wind River Reservation south of Mud Creek. The Bureau of Indian Affairs was notified of the incident and requested local assistance. Hot Springs County Search and Rescue responded and assisted the two adults. 

Sunday, March 12

11:20 a.m. A welfare check was performed on a adult female. The female was alive and well. 

1:58 p.m. Report of property that was stolen and then found a few days later. The found property had approximately $200 worth of damage to it. There are no suspects at this time. 

3:29 p.m. Report of a domestic battery that occurred in a vehicle while traveling through Hot Springs County. Further investigation to follow. 

Police Department

Monday, March 6

9:18 a.m. Request for extra patrol in the mornings and afternoons for speeding cars. 

10:39 a.m. An I-Watch was reported to be missing from the reporting party’s purse located in her truck. The I-Watch last pinged across the street. The officer was unable to locate it. 

12:03 p.m. A female reported she believed someone stole her Medicaid bimonthly food package. Police responded and investigated the alleged theft. The female contacted Medicaid and was able to receive a replacement package. 

1:23 p.m. The general manager of a local restaurant requested a trespass order for a juvenile female who was a former restaurant employee. The former employee was located and served the trespass order. 

1:45 p.m. The general manager for a local restaurant requested police assistance regarding the return of store keys from a former employee. The juvenile female employee returned the keys prior to police making contact with her. 

3:12 p.m. Police responded to the HSC Court House after receiving a call about an unruly customer. Police made contact with a male that was screaming and yelling at the employees. Police defused the situation and asked the male subject to leave the premises. The male was given a verbal warning for Breach of Peace. 

1:35 p.m. An elderly male reported he located what appeared to be drug paraphernalia within his Air B/B. Police responded and took possession of a clear glass pipe that appeared to be an unused methamphetamine pipe. Police removed the pipe from the property and destroyed it. 

6:54 p.m. Police made contact with Drake Zephyr Boulden, 21, within the Hot Springs State Park. During this contact, police found the male in alleged possession of methamphetamine. The male was arrested and charged with alleged possession and use of a controlled substance. 

6:01 p.m. A two-vehicle accident was reported in the parking lot of a gas station. A report was created, and both vehicles were still operable. 

Tuesday, March 7

11:45 a.m. A 28-year-old male from Illinois was cited for careless driving, failure to stop at a stop light, speeding, and improper lane use.

10:59 a.m. Report of shoplifting in the 600 block of Broadway. The matter is still under investigation. 

1:36 p.m. Police conducted a traffic stop on a 42-year-old Michigan male for speeding through Thermopolis. Police visually estimated the male traveling 60 mph within numerous 30 mph speed zones. Once police were able to catch up to the male driver, the male’s vehicle speed was locked in at 54 mph within a 30 mph speed zone. The driver was cited for speeding with a $258 fine. 

3:45 p.m. Police conducted a traffic stop on a 20-year-old Michigan male driver for speeding in a school zone. During the traffic stop, police observed a female passenger hiding items. Police discovered these items were THC (marijuana) vape products, nicotine vape products, and alcohol. All illegal items were seized, and the driver was issued citations for infractions. 

Wednesday, March 8

8:45 a.m. An officer was dispatched to the Thermopolis Middle School, for a juvenile problem. There was a concern for her well being.

8:48 p.m. A 55-year-old male driver was pulled over for failure to properly use a vehicle turn signal. The male was issued a citation for the traffic infraction. 

Thursday, March 9

7:27 a.m. Agency assist on Highway 20 North for a single-vehicle rollover. A male refused Emergency Medical Services and was released from the scene with minor injuries. 

9:18 a.m. A female reported an abandoned shoulder bag left at her place of employment. Police retrieved the bag and are actively trying to return the bag to the rightful owner. 

10:41 p.m. Officers received a call for a possible violation of a protection order issued against Richard Vasco, 42, from Riverton. During the investigation, it was determined that Vasco allegedly violated the protection order and was subsequently arrested.

Friday, March 10

4:46 a.m. A male located deceased within his residence. Officers investigated the scene without incident. 

10:06 a.m. Police made contact with a female regarding her camper that was located in her backyard. The camper was occupied and was not hooked up to proper utilities. The female was advised this was a violation of town ordinance. She was given ten days to remove the camper from her backyard. 

11:31 a.m. Keith Bapst, 53, was arrested on a District Court warrant in the 200 block of Clark Street. 

4:12 p.m. A welfare check was requested to be performed on a male due to statements made over the phone. Police made contact with the male and confirmed he was okay.

5:59 p.m. Police conducted a traffic stop in the 800 block of Broadway for speeding. Police subsequently located marijuana inside the vehicle. The driver, a 43-year-old female, from Casper, was issued a citation for speeding and failure to provide valid proof of liability insurance. The passenger, a 37-year-old female, from Casper, was issued a citation for possession of a controlled substance (THC). 

Saturday, March 11

12:25 a.m. A 57-year-old male violated his bond conditions for failure to check in with the Thermopolis Police Department. 

Divorces

Amanda Cornwell v. Tanner Cornwell, 3/6/2023

Birth

Elianna Ogle was born at 9:53 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 23, 2023, at Hot Springs Health to Jennifer and Cody Ogle.

She weighed 8 pounds, 1.6 ounces and was 21 inches long.

Grandparents are Patti and Bob Delaney, Tess and Wally Meinardus, and Kevin and Christine Ogle.

Civil Court

Larry L. Little, falsely reported a crime, 30 days jail, 30 days suspended, six months unsupervised probation, fees and fines $320.

Madeline Wagler, permit house parties with minors present, fees and fines $270

Jesi Ehlers, driving while under the influence of alcohol 0.08% or more, 180 days jail, 180 days suspended, one year unsupervised probation, fees and fines $420.

Darrick Andrew Collins, driving while license suspended, second plus offense, 19 days jail, fees and fines $270.

Devyn A. Schwab, breach of peace, 90 days jail, 61 days suspended, six months supervised probation, fees and fines $70 and criminal trespass, 90 days jail, 39 days suspended, six months supervised probation, fees and fines $70 and breach of peace, 90 days jail, 39 days suspended, six months supervised probation, fees and fines $70.