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.

Highway Patrol

Thursday, January 21

Unknown time: Eugene Wehrman, 60, was arrested for allegedly driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Sheriff’s Office

Thursday, January 21

4:33 p.m. Report of an agency assist with the Department of Family Services to observe a urinalysis.

Friday, January 22

9:33 a.m. Report of an agency assist involving a Title 25 subject at the hospital to provide protection.

1:58 p.m. Report of a grass fire at the Bob Milek Memorial Shooting Range on Highway 120 at mile marker 7. Shooters reported that a hot casing from a .22 caught fire in the grass and then moved into nearby brush. The subjects tried to put the fire out themselves but were not able to. The fire department was called and put it out.

Police Department

Tuesday, January 19

9:20 a.m. Report of theft involving a dispute between two parties over a stimulus check. There were no arrests. The matter is being addressed in a divorce proceeding.

12:55 p.m. Report of an extra patrol involving a property watch.

Wednesday, January 20

9:56 a.m. Report of a fire alarm caused by dust generated by remodeling. There was no fire.

4:24 p.m. An officer assisted emergency medical services in the transport of a patient to the hospital.

4:54 p.m. Report of a citizen assist involving a telephone scam. The scammers were saying the subject won money and the scammers also asked the subject to send them money to receive their award. 

5:05 p.m. Report of a suspicious vehicle in the area. The officer was unable to locate the vehicle.

6:40 p.m. Report of a suspicious couple of cars that met up. The reporting party thought there was a drug deal, however the caller could not give enough info to further investigate.

Thursday, January 21

8:24 a.m. Report of harassment on Facebook. The subject was shown how to block that type of messaging.

9:32 a.m. An officer assisted emergency medical services in the transport of a patient to the hospital.

10:26 a.m. Report of an agency assist with Life Flight, but they canceled 

11:41 a.m. Report of a suspicious person involving a home that needed maintenance in which no one was living in. Someone discovered a squatter and they were removed. There were no citations or arrests.

2:27 p.m. Report of a citizen assist where the reporting party was concerned that another subject would do damage to their business. The officer talked to the other half involved and advised they needed to cease their threats to them. 

5:18 p.m. An officer assisted emergency medical services in the transport of a patient to the hospital.

11:33 p.m. Report of noise involving a loud semi truck parked that was keeping people awake. The driver was contacted and told where to park those types of trucks.

Friday, January 22

8:42 a.m. Report of a 32-year-old female subject causing problems. The issues were addressed.

8:48 a.m. Report of threatening behavior where an employee felt her boss was verbally abusing her. The matter is still under investigation.

12:46 a.m. Report of an agency assist with the Sheriff’s Office involving contacting family in reference to a prior situation.

1:23 p.m. Report of an agency assist with the Department of Family Services in a matter that is still under investigation.

Saturday, January 23

10:17 a.m. Report of a subject trespassed from a residence in town.

11 p.m. Report of an intoxicated subject that was transported to the hospital.

Sunday, January 24

2:45 a.m. An officer assisted emergency medical services in the transport of a patient to the hospital.

11:50 a.m. Report of a medical call where a subject bumped a Life Line device by accident. The ambulance was canceled.

6:20 p.m. Report of theft of several items. The matter is still under investigation. There is a suspect in this case.

6:45 p.m. Report of theft at a local business. Some subjects left prior to getting paid for their service. The police are unable to determine if it was an accident or on purpose.

10:11 p.m. Report of suspicious text messaging. The report is pending.

Circuit Court

Deanna S. Morgan, use of a controlled substance, Schedule I, II or III, 90 days jail, 90 days suspended, six months supervised probation, fees and fines $180 and a second count of use of a controlled substance, Schedule I, II or III, 90 days jail, 90 days suspended, six months supervised probation, fees and fines $180 and a third count of use of a controlled substance, Schedule I, II or III, 90 days jail, 90 days suspended, six months supervised probation, fees and fines $180 and accessory after the fact: misdemeanor crime, 90 days jail, 90 days suspended, fees and fines $130. 

Michael Guzman, property destruction: under $1,000, fees and fines $55 and restitution $485.50.

Dominic A. Rangel, possession of a controlled substance, 30 days jail, 30 days suspended, six months unsupervised probation, fees and fines $520.

Shawn Heavyrunner, driving while under the influence of alcohol equal to or greater than 0.08%, first offense within 10 years, 90 days jail, 90 days suspended, six months unsupervised probation, fees and fines $470.

Scott E. Weaver, reckless driving, 90 days jail, 87 days suspended, six months unsupervised, fees and fines $470 and open container of alcohol in a moving vehicle, first offense, fees and fines $100.

Troy Pounds, driving while under the influences of alcohol equal to or greater than 0.08%, second offense within 10 years, 30 days jail, 23 days suspended, six months unsupervised probation, fees and fines $520 and open container of alcohol in a moving vehicle, first offense, fees and fines $150.

Keith O. Bapst was bounded over to district court for possession of a controlled substance, powder or crystal, three grams or less, third plus offense and possession of a controlled narcotic substance, schedule I or II.

Christian Peek, wrongful taking or disposing of property, venue of indictment, under $1,000, fees and fines $205. 

Adam Lee Hepp, possession of a controlled substance, powder or crystal, three grams or less, 100 days jail, 98 days suspended, one year supervised probation, fees and fines $620.

Jeffery S. Averill, use of a controlled substance, Schedule I, II or III, 30 days jail, 23 days suspended, six months supervised probation and driving while license suspended, second plus offense, 30 days jail, 23 days suspended, six months supervised probation, fees and fines $270.

Pachara Ratanakul, driving on sidewalks, fees and fines $100 and driving with an open container in a moving vehicle, first offense, fees and fines $100.

Thomas M. Ward, driving without compulsory auto insurance, first offense, fees and fines $560.

Patrick S. Arends, permitting an unlicensed person to drive, fees and fines $270.