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, July 11

7:58 p.m. Report of an agency assist involving the Thermopolis Police with a possible REDDI report.

Tuesday, July 12

9:05 p.m. Report of an agency assist involving the Thermopolis Police who requested a K9 Open Air Sniff during a traffic stop at mile marker 134 on Highway 20 North. There was a negative indication from K9. 

Wednesday, July 13

9:54 a.m. Report of a domestic problem involving cruelty toward two children.

Friday, July 15

9:46 p.m. Taylor Douglas Nygard, 27, was arrested for allegedly driving while under the influence of alcohol, 0.08% within 2 hours of driving, failing to provide proof of liability insurance, not having a valid driver’s license, and speeding. 

10:12 a.m. Report of a citizen assist involving a broken down vehicle on the side of the road at Hospital Hill. 

2:59 p.m. Blake Arnold Wagler, 58, was arrested for alleged child abuse, felony status. Bail was set at $50,000.

Saturday, July 16

1:57 p.m. Report of a possible drunk driver in the 400 block of South 6th Street. The driver was determined to not be intoxicated.  

7:12 p.m. Report of a public peace matter involving a physical altercation between two adult males, ages 41 and 30 years old. The reason for the dispute was one of them was trying to keep a person from driving because that subject was intoxicated. No criminal action was requested by the victim. 

9:35 p.m. Report of a curfew matter involving loud music. The subject turned the volume down. 

10:39 p.m. Report of a privacy violation involving a 69-year-old female who reported a 30-year-old male was trespassing in the female’s backyard. 

Sunday, July 17

6:25 a.m. Nathan Michael Thomas, 30, was arrested for alleged burglary, felony status, theft of $1,000 or more, property destruction, driving without an interlock device, second offense. The alleged victim was a 59-year-old female. 

Police Department

Monday, July 11

11:19 a.m. Roy Benjamin Johnson, 65, was arrested after a traffic stop for allegedly driving while under suspension.

5:43 p.m. Report of a minor in possession of alcohol. An 18-year-old male was cited for driving while under suspension, possession of marijuana, and interference with a peace officer. 

6:27 p.m. Report of theft involving a 72-year-old female who reported money missing out of her purse wallet and believed it to have been taken while she was shopping at the grocery store. Video footage was reviewed and the purse wallet was never out of her sight or control. 

7:51 p.m. Report of a criminal traffic violation involving a 66-year-old male traveling in a white Toyota Tundra who was called in as a REDDI report. The male was stopped for speeding and was found not to be driving impaired. The subject was checked on by EMS staff to ensure he was not having a medical emergency. The male signed an EMS refusal and was released on scene. 

10:06 p.m. Report of possible fireworks in the 100 block of Meadowlark and involved the smell of smoke shortly thereafter. The officer located a male subject having a controlled fire in his backyard fire pit. No further fireworks or reports thereof were received. 

Tuesday, July 12

2:49 p.m. Report of larceny involving a 32-year-old female who reported her property was stolen from her vehicle sometime between 7/7/2022 to 7/12/2022 after it was left parked for a few hours in front of a business on Broadway St. 

6:22 p.m. Report of an agency assist. A 66-year-old male in Montana reported that a female family member took a car without permission and may be traveling to Thermopolis. The male was advised the incident would need to be reported to Montana law enforcement where it occurred. Local addresses were checked for the vehicle and it was not located. 

9:09 p.m. Report of a citizen dispute involving officers who responded to disgruntled 58- and 60-year-old females who reside next to each other. The officer stayed on the scene until the problem was solved.

Wednesday, July 13

8:09 a.m. Report of an abandoned vehicle involving a gray Ford F-150 left at the fairgrounds. The female owner was contacted and advised it would be picked up in the next few days. The officer tagged it for tow if not removed within the next five days. 

8:54 a.m. Report of a public peace matter involving a 70-year-old-male who yelled at a 71-year-old-female on a hiking trail within the Hot Springs State Park. The male allegedly became angry at the female and cussed at her, resulting from a political conversation that became heated. Law Enforcement visited with the male at his home and assisted the male with making better decisions regarding the male expressing himself in public. 

10:40 a.m. Report of an animal ordinance violation involving an 18-year-old female who was cited for animal cruelty after tying her kitten up to the porch and leaving it out in the hot sun for over an hour. 

11:12 p.m. Report of a security check in the Buffalo Pasture after the 10 p.m. closing hours.

11:17 p.m. Report of a security check involving a door found open in the 100 block of Arapahoe St. Door was made secure. The business was contacted. 

11:23 p.m. Report of an incident involving an officer who stopped a female who was out late and appeared to be underage. The subject was a 34-year-old female from Iowa.

11:59 p.m. Report of security check involving a vehicle parked in the Pizza Hut parking lot after hours. The officer located the owner who was inside the store. 

Thursday, July 14

3:32 p.m. Report of damaged property involving an 11-year-old female juvenile who threw dog feces at a motel door. The owners did not want to press charges as it appeared to be an accident. 

Friday, July 15

1:16 a.m. Drake Zephyr Boulden, 20, from Worland was arrested for allegedly driving while under the influence of a combination of alcohol and a controlled substance, being under age 21 consuming alcohol, violating a stop sign, possession of marijuana and an open container. The vehicle also had four 16-year-old juveniles, two of which had low BAC levels and received citations for MIP. 

1:48 p.m. Report of a sexual offense incident that is still under investigation. 

7:13 p.m. Report of suspicious activity involving a 33-year-old female from Nebraska who reported that she was constantly being followed by the same vehicle around town. The officer investigated and determined it was a coincidence and unfounded. The vehicle following the subject was participating in reunion weekend.

2:59 p.m. Report of an agency assist involving the Sheriff’s Office with a warrant arrest at the Department of Family Services. 

Saturday, July 16

4:06 p.m. Report of a hit and run at a gas station parking lot. Two male subjects reported leaving the store after a purchase. The male driver was witnessed on camera backing into a motorhome that was getting gas. This male got out and assessed the damage, got back in his truck, and fled the scene. This truck is a 2010 - 2015 light gold Ford F-150 crew cab with a matching color bed cover and chrome push grill. The male diver had white hair and white facial hair. The driver was not located. This truck will have minor damage to the passenger rear corner. If you have any information on this vehicle or owner, please contact the Thermopolis Police Department.

11:59 a.m. Report of property damage involving a 58-year-old male who damaged a vehicle in a joint driveway to his family’s property. The neighbors’ car sustained damage to the side and the hood from the incident. The male subject will be cited with property destruction once law enforcement can make contact. 

Sunday, July 17

12:33 p.m. Report of a criminal traffic violation involving a 47-year-old male who was pulled over for not having a driver’s license and having a lawn chair unsecured on top of his SUV around the 300 block of Park Street. The driver was cited for both offenses out of municipal court. 

Civil Court

Arik A. Amundson, pedestrian under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance on highway, fees and fines $170.

Paul A. Wurtz, unlawful contact: rude, insolent, or angry touches without bodily injury, 90 days jail, 90 days suspended, six months supervised probation, fees and fines $220.

Alexis Hemsted, possession of a controlled substance, pill or capsule, three grams or less, 180 days jail, 177 days suspended, six months unsupervised probation, fees and fines $320 and interference with a peace officer, 180 days jail, 177 days suspended, six months unsupervised probation, fees and fines $170.

Paul A. Wurtz, possession of a controlled substance, plant, three ounces or less, 90 days jail, 90 days suspended, six months supervised probation, fees and fines $270 and possession of a controlled substance, powder or crystal, three grams or less, 90 days jail, 90 days suspended, six months supervised probation, fees and fines $120.

Dario C. Gallo, breach of peace, 56 days jail, fees and fines $220 and interference with a peace officer, 56 days jail, fees and fines $70.

Melissa E. Balstad, theft: deprive under $1,000, seven days jail, fees and fines $70.

Richard Hamm, possession of a controlled substance, powder or crystal, three grams or less, 180 days jail, 159 days suspended, fees and fines $720 and use of a controlled substance, Schedule I, II, or III, 180 days jail, 180 days suspended, fees and fines $195 and use of a controlled substance, Schedule I, II, or III, fees and fines $195.