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, May 17

12:36 p.m. Report of a suspicious vehicle parked in the county parking lot behind the Law Enforcement Center. The deputy found the vehicle was not stolen and contacted the owner. The vehicle was later moved.

Wednesday, May 19

2:51 p.m. Report of an abandoned vehicle involving a couple of camper trailers that were left on private property. They were tagged to be removed. The deputy made contact with the owner and they will be moved.

Thursday, May 20

6:57 p.m. Report of a runaway juvenile involving a 15-year-old female who lied to her guardian saying she was going camping with Youth Alternatives. She actually went camping with her friends. The juvenile was placed in Child In Need of Services and put into a group home.

Friday, May 21

1:16 p.m. A citizen assist where a subject’s phone was hacked because they went to a certain website that took over the phone. The deputy wiped the phone and started it over. 

1:45 p.m. Suspicious activity involving a subject who received a letter in the mail.

8:13 p.m. Suspicious activity involving someone making a scraping sound on the north side of the BOCES cottage. There was no description of the subject. They left and no contact was made.

Saturday, May 22

10:40 a.m. Report of an accident involving a vehicle that went off-road and took out 11 T-posts and some fencing near Lane 12 on Highway 20 South. A subject called to report it the next morning to claim responsibility. However, she later confessed she was covering for her daughter who was on parole and was the actual driver. A 31-year-old female was cited for providing false information on a motor vehicle accident and for careless driving. The mother was not cited.

Sunday, May 23

12:27 p.m. A wallet was found on Highway 120. The owner was contacted and will pick it up in a couple of weeks. 

Police Department

Monday, May 17

8:04 a.m. Report of suspicious activity involving damage to a door. Access was attempted but was not made. The owner will get it fixed.

9:40 a.m. Report of a fire where a subject was using a personal fire pit and it was not properly called in. The police department reminds residents to notify dispatch ahead of time if you are using a fire pit.

10 a.m. An agency assist involving the Department of Family Services and an elderly subject who did not want to live where he was placed. He ended up leaving the facility. 

1:27 p.m. Report of fraud involving a subject who went on Facebook and attempted to rent some property. The property owner obtained personal information of the victim and it turned out to be a false listing. The victim needs to monitor their accounts and contact their bank.

1:40 p.m. An officer assisted emergency medical services in the transport of a patient to the hospital.

7:49 p.m. Two 22-year-old males both from California were cited for possession of a controlled substance, marijuana. 

8:51 p.m. Christopher Chase Martin, 33, was arrested on a warrant for probation revocation.

Tuesday, May 18

12:56 a.m. Report of noise involving a diesel pick up truck that was running idle outside for many hours. The officer spoke to the owners and they turned it off.

11:26 a.m. An agency assist where the Thermopolis police helped the Riverton police try to locate a subject. They did not locate them here.

12:58 p.m. An accident involving a subject who was riding a motorized scooter and bumped into a subject knocking them over. Everything was fine and there was no damage.

3:13 p.m. An accident where a subject backed into a parked vehicle in a local business’s parking lot. There was some damage and no citations.

Wednesday, May 19

8:36 a.m. Christopher Chase Martin, 33, was served a second warrant while staying in jail for failure to appear in court. 

9:41 a.m. Report of an accident involving a subject who hit a concrete pillar around a gas pump. There was damage to their motorhome and no damage to the pillars. 

12:51 p.m. Report of disorderly behavior where a 63-year-old female was issued a trespass notice for a local business.

2:15 p.m. A civil standby involving a subject who was getting their belongings from another residence. There were no incidents.

Thursday, May 20

11:19 a.m. Report of suspicious activity involving a family and juveniles. The officer assisted the Department of Family Services and a 13-year-old female, a 14-year-old female and an 8-year-old male. The matter is being referred to the County Attorney. 

11:35 a.m. Report of trespassing involving a subject who wanted someone else to not be at their house anymore. They were given a trespass notice.

2:46 p.m. Report of vandalism with possible flowers being poisoned. The call was determied to be unfounded. 

Friday, May 21

9:35 a.m. Report of embezzlement involving possible theft of money for the past three months by an employee. The matter is still under investigation and they are waiting for bank records.

4:53 p.m. Terrance Benjamin Sani, 56, was arrested on a warrant for failure to appear in court.

Saturday, May 22

12:11 a.m. Susan Pyle, 55, was arrested for alleged theft and taking someone’s clothing from a laundromat machine and taking it home.

5:15 p.m. Report of theft involving someone stealing products from a local business. They are waiting to examine videos.

6:28 p.m. Report of activity involving someone making threats to a subject out of town and then they came into town. The matter was referred back to the Sheriff’s office.

6:29 p.m. KC Vaughn Lahoe, 30, was arrested for allegedly driving while under the influence of alcohol. 

9:54 p.m. A 33-year-old female was cited for the use of a controlled substance, meth.

10:58 p.m. Report of theft involving a subject who believes their cell phone was stolen. The subject called their number and someone answered. They need to find out who answered the phone. The matter was referred to their phone company.

Sunday, May 23

6:26 p.m. Report of a possible drunk driver. The officer located the vehicle and did not find any probable cause to pull it over.

7:52 p.m. Report of a citizen assist involving a subject who was walking their dogs in the Hot Springs State Park. This subject was gone for an extended period of time and they were trying to be located. The subject was taking their time and enjoying the weather.

9:36 p.m. Report of noise involving a subject working on a derby car. They were advised of the complaint and they stopped their activity.

Births

Michael Gardner was born Thursday, May 6, 2021, at Hot Springs Health to Ashleigh Miller and David Gardner.

He weighed 5  pounds, 6.6 ounces, and was 18.5 inches long.

Gwen Wurtz was born Thursday, May 6, 2021, at Hot Springs Health to Stacy and Patrick Wurtz.

She weighed 6 pounds, 2 ounces and was 18 inches long.

Grandparents are Sharon Lee and Jesse Dumas and Jackie Wurtz and Karl Wurtz.

Circuit Court

Teresa L. LeBlanc, possession of a controlled substance, powder or crystal, three grams or less, 180 days jail, 152 days suspended, one year supervised probation, fees and fines $270 and unlawful use of toxic substances, solvents, 180 days jail, 180 days suspended, one year supervised probation, fees and fines $120.

Johan Elisson, driving while under the influence of alcohol, 0.08% or more, 120 days jail, 115 days suspended, one year unsupervised probation, fees and fines $270.

Meagan R. Watkins, possession of a controlled substance, plant, three ounces or less, 120 days jail, 118 days suspended, one year supervised probation, fees and fines $520.

Rebecca K. Nelson, pedestrian under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance, fees and fines $370 and breach of peace, 90 days jail, 87 days suspended, six months supervised probation, fees and fines $420.

James T. Lackey was bound over to District Court for possession of a controlled narcotic substance, schedule I or II, amount more than in para ci and having a child where meth was manufactured and hazardous waste stored.

Emma Goffena was bound over to District Court for driving while under the influence of alcohol, equal to or greater than 0.08%, fourth plus offense within 10 years.

Elizabeth Ann Weed, disposed of dead animals or garbage so as to pollute, fees and fines $250.