District court sees variety of cases

Monday in Hot Springs District Court, a defendant who came ready to be sentenced to the Wyoming Department of Corrections is now looking at an alternative.

Broderick Hopper was sentenced in 2015 on a theft charge. Though given a period of probation, on Monday he admitted to several violations, including driving without a valid license, missing appointments with the probation office and officer, failing to show efforts to gain employment and not paying restitution.

Hopper told Judge Robert E. Skar that he was not suitable for probation, as he has a problem with authority and is a drug addict; he further added this addiction was an underlying issue in the theft case. He also told the judge he easily becomes addicted to anything a person can.

Though he has been able to stay away from addictive substances and activities before, Hopper said that wasn’t his current mindset.

Judge Skar said treatment through drug court is a possibility, but it can only be done if Hopper agrees to it. After a quick visit with his fiancée, Hopper decided he wanted to give the program a try and give himself another chance. Though a program is available in Riverton, where Hopper resides, there will be a hearing next week to determine when he can get in.

John Baker entered a plea of guilty to four charges: a felony count of endangering a child — exposure to methamphetamine, and three misdemeanor possession charges related to meth, marijuana and psylocibin in pill form. The charges stem from a May 28 incident, during which a vehicle which Baker was in was pulled over for a crack that impeded the driver’s view. A later search of the vehicle revealed a smoking pipe with marijuana residue, syringes, a baggy with a crystalline substance identified as meth and a container with some loose plant material and three capsules with brown plant material identified as mushrooms.

The driver of the vehicle Baker was in, Autumn Boyle, has pled not guilty to charges of endangering a child — exposure to meth and a misdemeanor count of under the influence with a child passenger. According to court documents, during the May 28 incident Boyle was allegedly unable to perform field sobriety maneuvers. Trial for Boyle is expected to take three days.

A warrant was issued for William Forrest, who did not show for his court appearance. Forrest is charged with strangulation of a household member. According to court documents, on June 3 officers responded to his residence. Though it was dark when they arrived, they were told everything was fine. During further investigation, the officers found Forrest and Misty Lane had an argument, during which he allegedly wrapped his arm around her neck and made it unable for her to breathe for about 10 seconds. Other documents indicate during the argument she had bit Forrest and he had pushed her off a set of outside stairs.

Joshua Hoyer pled not guilty to failing to register as a sex offender, stemming from a June 7 incident. A deputy who is the second point of contact for the sex offender registry knew Hoyer was a sex offender in Colorado, but was informed Hoyer told a police officer he was living and working in Thermopolis. However, Hoyer allegedly had not registered a change of address or employment within the required three days. A trial for Hoyer is expected to take one day.

Tiffany Brown pled not guilty to charges of possession of a controlled substance — meth — with intent to deliver, two counts of endangering a child — exposure to meth, and unlawful possession of meth. The first three counts stem from incidents between April 1 and 6, while the fourth is specific to April 6. Court documents state a deputy was informed by the Washakie County Sheriff’s Office that Brown was arrested for selling meth on Feb. 19. Upon a search of the bedroom of her residence, the deputy allegedly found a bag with a crystalline substance that appeared to be, and tested positive for, meth; syringes, a spoon and a cotton ball were also found.

Allegedly, Brown’s son was with her during the February meth sale.

Harlan and Katherine Saltz pled not guilty to charges against them. Harlan is charged with two counts of aggravated assault, while Katherine faces a single count of the charge.

The charges stem from an April 8 incident, during which Harlan allegedly assaulted Benjamin (Terry) Tonn with a baton, and Katherine allegedly had a gun aimed at Tonn, during an argument. Harlan also allegedly fired a shot in Tonn’s direction after the fight de-escalated.