CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Recent sentencings by the U.S. Attorney’s Office have highlighted a range of serious offenses in Wyoming, including reckless driving in a national park, possession of child sex abuse materials, drug trafficking and firearm-related crimes.
Child Sex Abuse Material
Thomas Matthew Ezell, 46, of Cheyenne, was sentenced on Aug. 1 to 10 years in federal prison with 10 years of supervised release for possession of child pornography on subsequent offense. He was also ordered by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Nancy J. Freudenthal to pay $9,000 in restitution and a $100 assessment.
According to court documents, between August and December 2023, CyberTips received several notifications from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children involving the possession and distribution of child sex abuse materials from accounts on Snapchat and X, formerly known as Twitter. Search warrants conducted on those accounts linked them back to the defendant. Ezell is a registered sex offender with two previous convictions involving children and possession of child sex abuse materials.
Ezell pleaded guilty on April 24. This crime was investigated by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children task force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paige Hammer prosecuted the case.
Public Land Offenses
Robin Thoenig, 58, of Jackson, was convicted of reckless driving, speeding, failing to notify authorities of a motor vehicle accident and impermissibly removing a motor vehicle from the scene of an accident.
At approximately 9:30 p.m. May 10, while visitors in Grand Teton National Park were gathered to view the aurora borealis, Thoenig was driving in Grand Teton National Park at speeds of up to 127 mph in areas where the speed limit is 45 mph. While doing so, Thoenig struck and killed an elk, then drove her vehicle several miles from the scene, left it near the Gros Ventre Campground and obtained a ride out of the park.
Upon pleading guilty to the four charges, she was sentenced to three days of incarceration and ordered to pay a $750 community service payment, $1,000 in fines and $70 in mandatory court costs. This crime was investigated by the National Park Service and the case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Calmes.
Drug Trafficking & Firearm Offenses
James Eugene Nemeth, 65, of Casper, was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence on July 30.
According to court documents, on Nov. 10, 2023, the Casper Police Department received a tip that a man named “Jim” was selling narcotics out of the Super 8 Motel in Evansville. Deputies conducted a free-air sniff around the defendant’s vehicle, during which K-9 Duke indicated the presence of controlled substances. Officers received a motel roster and confirmed James, aka Jim Nemeth, was staying there. The K-9 also indicated the presence of controlled substances in Nemeth’s room. Nemeth cooperated with officers and told them he had a loaded weapon, a half-pound of methamphetamine and over $5,000 in cash.
Nemeth pleaded guilty on May 7. This crime was investigated by the Casper Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mackenzie Morrison.
Firearm and Ammunition Offenses
Joshua Allen Frescas, 34, of Rawlins, was sentenced to 44 months’ imprisonment for being a felon in possession of ammunition. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence on July 31. According to court documents, on July 30, 2023, the Rawlins Police Department received a report of a stolen vehicle. Officers located it at a gas station.
A review of the station’s security camera showed that Joshua Frescas pulled into the station driving the vehicle, then got into another vehicle. Officers located the other vehicle and placed Frescas under arrest for the stolen vehicle and five outstanding warrants. Frescas also had a backpack with 4.5 grams of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, a firearm and ammunition. Frescas was a convicted felon, which prohibited him from possessing firearms or ammunition.
He pleaded guilty on May 8. This crime was investigated by the Rawlins Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan C. Coppom prosecuted the case.
