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 21

9:23 p.m. Report of a medical call where a deputy assisted a police officer in CPR and an AED on a female subject.

Tuesday, March 22

9:53 a.m. Report of fraud involving a victim who received a phishing email supposedly from Geek Square. The perpetrator took over the victim’s computer and demanded money to get his system back. The victim turned off the computer and called the sheriff’s office. No money or data was lost. The matter was turned over to the FBI.

4:47 p.m. Report of an agency assist involving a deputy and Highway Patrol with a probable cause search of a vehicle at mile marker 25 on Highway 120. Timothy James Ott, 28, residence unknown, was arrested for alleged probation revocation. Abel Rojo Mendoza, 38, from Mexico or Colorado, was arrested for alleged possession of a controlled substance, plant, and powder or crystal, and for an open container.

7:36 a.m. Report of a civil dispute involving a landlord who complained his tenants left without notice and allegedly took a shed off the property. The ownership of the shed is in dispute. 

Unknown time: Report of a juvenile problem involving the Billings Police Department informing the HSC Sheriff’s Office of a possible sexual assault five years prior. At the time of occurrence, a 6-year-old female may have been inappropriately touched by a 9-year-old male. All subjects no longer live in the county. 

Wednesday, March 23

11:30 p.m. Report of an agency assist involving the police department on a traffic stop.

Thursday, March 24

11:16 a.m. Paul Alan Wurtz, 36, was arrested as an alleged sex offender who failed to notify change of address, failed to change registered information, failed to disclose a change of employment, residing within 1,000 feet of a school, possession of marijuana and meth.

6:48 p.m. Report of a possible theft

Friday, March 25

8:28 p.m. Report of a public assist involving a 23-year-old female who thought her identity was stolen. After an investigation, it was determined to be a misunderstanding. 

9:39 a.m. Sherry Faye Bell, 35, from Ethete, was arrested on a warrant from Fremont County. The original charges were for not having insurance. Bell was also warned for not having registration. Orion Ethan Bell, 18, from Ethete, was arrested on a warrant from Fremont County. The original charges were for failure to appear, interference with a peace officer, and minor in possession. He was also charged for alleged possession of a controlled substance, plant. 

Saturday, March 26

10:13 a.m. Report of a fire on South Yellowstone Road involving a tractor on fire inside a barn. The tractor was a total loss and the barn suffered fire damage.

1:29 p.m. Report of a grass fire on Country Lane during a controlled burn that got out of control. The fire got close to some residents who were evacuated, but fire department personnel kept the fire from damaging any structures and there were no injuries. 

11:01 p.m. Report of an agency assist involving the police department monitoring detainees while a probable cause search was conducted. 

Sunday, March 27

4:28 p.m. Clayton Lee Douglas, 46, from Washakie County, was arrested on a Hot Springs County warrant. The original charges were false imprisonment, reckless endangerment, domestic assault, criminal entry, property destruction, theft, and felonious restraint. Bond was set at $7,500.

Police department

Monday, March 21

5:42 p.m. Report of an agency assist involving the Department of Family Services conducting house checks with concerns of filthy and unsafe living conditions. The two families involved created a safety plan with DFS and all juvenile children involved were taken to alternative homes due to safety concerns. Family members are cleaning to improve their living conditions. 

7:43 p.m. Report of criminal entry in the 1300 block of Canyon Hills. A female subject in jail had a neighbor report that someone entered her apartment and took items without the owner or renter’s permission. A 70-year-old female was cited for criminal entry. 

Tuesday, March 22

10:10 a.m. Report of a traffic problem that involved a medical issue. A 72-year-old male was stopped for lane use on Hospital Hill. The officer determined it was a medical issue, but the driver refused to go to the hospital. The officer had a friend give him a ride home. 

2:14 p.m. Report of an accident involving a 51-year-old female traveling east in the 700 block of Arapahoe who hit a parked car when her dogs jumped into her lap. The driver was warned for lane use. There were no citations. 

2:51 p.m. Report of found property involving a set of four keys and a YMCA card on a carabiner located in the 500 block of Park Street.

Wednesday, March 23

11:03 p.m. Report of suspicious activity involving employees in the 400 block of South 6th who were concerned about two subjects inside the store that appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance. The officer made contact and there was negative impairment. 

Thursday, March 24

1:22 a.m. Report of a citizen assist involving an intoxicated couple at a hotel who were asked to leave the hot tub area by staff but refused. Law enforcement responded and asked the couple to go back to their rooms. The couple did without any further incident. 

11:35 a.m. Report of fraud involving a 44-year-old female who reported a local business email was hacked and a fraudulent wire transfer of money was attempted. The matter is under investigation. 

Friday, March 25

11:48 a.m. Report of a juvenile problem involving a 12-year-old female who was having a manic episode. The juvenile calmed down. 

8:08 p.m. Report of a citizen assist involving a 25-year-old female, within the 500 block of South 6th Street, regarding a protection order. The subject stated she would discuss the protection order with her boss before seeking said protection order. 

Saturday, March 26

2:43 p.m. Report of found property involving a cell phone in the Hot Springs State Park.

11:01 p.m. Report of a juvenile problem involving a 16-year-old who was headed westbound on Shoshoni Street in a vehicle. The juvenile was traveling 45 mph in a 30 mph zone. While investigating the traffic incident, it was discovered another juvenile passenger had a nicotine vape. The vape was seized, and the juvenile was cited for minor in possession of tobacco. 

Sunday, March 27

2:42 a.m. Tryston Terry Truempler, 19, from Riverton, was arrested for alleged possession of a fraudulent ID Card, presenting a fraudulent ID card, possession or use of nicotine, under 21 years old and consuming alcohol, under 21 years old.

4:43 p.m. Report of theft involving some stolen Airpods in the 600 block of Shoshoni Street.

Civil Court

Dominique Romero was bounded over to District Court for possession of a controlled narcotic substance, Schedule I or II, amount more than in para ci, and manufacturing or delivering meth or a narcotic controlled substance, Schedule I or II, and taking a controlled substance or liquid into jail.

Jezreel White Clay, possession of a controlled substance, plant, three ounces or less, fees and fines $570.