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.

Fire

Friday, Aug. 18

The Black Mountain Fire, east of Thermopolis, burned approximately 2,500 acres of grass and sagebrush on primarily BLM-managed and private lands. The fire is the first time air resources were deployed from the new SEAT base in Worland, which opened at the end of July. It has been 100% contained. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Sheriff’s Office

Monday, Aug. 14

4:49 p.m. Report of fraud of $200 in gift cards. The individual was given information for reporting identity theft. 

11:27 p.m. Deputies responded to the area of mile marker 124 of Highway 20 South for a 911 hang-up. The callers were having mechanical issues with a trailer. 

Tuesday, Aug. 15

10 a.m. Stig Henrik Ludwig, 21, from Rock Springs, was arrested on a Hot Springs County warrant for probation revocation. The original charges were for exposure of meth to a child.

12:42 p.m. Report of a wallet found at a gas station. The property was returned to its owner.

1:49 p.m. Deputies responded to a disturbance at an apartment complex. A 41-year-old female, a 63-year-old male, and a 54-year-old male were cited for breach of peace and trespassed from the property.

6:18 p.m. A welfare check was conducted on an elderly female. She was located and was okay. 

Wednesday, Aug. 16 

11:36 a.m. Report of cooking items taken from an Airbnb sometime between August 10-16. 

3:36 p.m. Report of a rock that caused damage to a windshield on the highway. 

6:10 p.m. Report of tall grass and other nuisances in a yard in East Thermopolis. The caller was told to speak with East Thermopolis Town Council.

8:19 p.m. Search and Rescue responded to the report of four adults and one juvenile that had accidentally gone past the Hot Springs State Park boat launch. A 23-year-old female from Ft. Washakie was cited for failing to require a life jacket on a child under the age of 12 years old. 

10:43 a.m. Report of a male who gave his credit card information on a phone scam. His financial institution was notified. 

Saturday, Aug. 19

12:59 p.m. Guillermo Blanco Plasensia, 30, from Florida, was arrested for alleged felony theft after deputies stopped a semi-trailer at approximately mile marker 14 on Highway 120. The trailer was found to be allegedly stolen and was seized. 

8:00 p.m. Daileen Susalea Hernandez, 61, from Worland, was arrested on a warrant for probation revocation. The original charges were two felony counts for possession of a controlled substance.

9:42 p.m. A welfare check was conducted on an elderly male. The male was found to be okay.

Sunday, Aug. 20

12:03 p.m. Report of a civil standby. It went without incident.

2:04 p.m. Report of a truck in a ditch on Owl Creek Road. The driver was transported to the emergency room. 

Police Department

Monday, Aug. 14

11:46 a.m. A driver backed into another vehicle while the driver was driving slowly to find a parking spot in the 200 block of Senior Ave.

1:28 p.m. A 51-year-old male was trespassed from a business in the 500 block of South 6th Street after causing a disturbance.

2:53 p.m. Agency assist for Highway Patrol during a traffic stop. Jordan Daniel Elmer, 33, from Oro Valley, Ariz., was allegedly traveling 101 MPH in a marked 30 MPH zone and traveling into oncoming traffic within the municipal area of Thermopolis. The male was cited for an alleged open container by the Police Department and arrested by Wyoming Highway Patrol for allegedly driving while under the influence, speeding, possession of a controlled substance, marijuana, not driving in a single lane, and reckless driving. 

2:33 p.m. A female reported stalking and involvement with the mafia in the 400 block of Park Street. No evidence was obtained, and it was determined that these incidents are due to paranoia and hallucinations. 

Wednesday, Aug. 16 

11:16 a.m. A 19-year-old male from California was stopped for speeding. During the stop, the officer could smell the odor of marijuana. The 19-year-old male and his passenger, a 19-year-old female from New York, were cited for possession of a controlled substance along with the driver for speeding. 

8:19 p.m. Agency assist for Search and Rescue.

Thursday, Aug. 17

5:43 p.m. A male in Illinois reported a 9mm pistol missing in the 100 block of East Park Street. 

Friday, Aug. 18

11:04 a.m. A male reported the theft of 70 gallons of gas in the 400 block of South 10th Street. 

4:29 p.m. Report of a found Sig Sauer p365 12-round magazine containing 8 9mm hollow point cartridges in the 400 block of South 6th Street. 

Sunday, Aug. 20

2:04 p.m. Report of suspicious activity on Owl Creek Road involving a driver. The officer was unable to locate the vehicle.

Circuit Court

Carlos Isaiah Montanes, theft: deprive under $1,000, 180 days jail, 180 days suspended, six months unsupervised probation, fees and fines $620.

Devon Mercado, possession of a controlled substance, plant, 3 ounces or less, 30 days jail, 30 days suspended, six months unsupervised probation, fees and fines $520.

Birth

Carter John Mead was born Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at Powell Valley Healthcare to Abby and Chase Mead.

He weighed 6 pounds, 3.9 ounces and was 19.25 inches long.

Grandparents are Gayla Mead-Ellis & Mark Ellis, Angela Belus and Andy Belus.