CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming announced several recent sentencings for federal offenses. Details for the cases are as follows:
Federal Lands Offenses
- Mathew Crabtree, 36, New Market, Alabama: Crabtree was sentenced for driving under the influence of alcohol and refusing to consent to a breath test in Yellowstone National Park. For the DUI, Crabtree received a $750 fine and two years of unsupervised probation, including a ban from Yellowstone. For refusing a breath test, he was sentenced to a $750 fine and seven days of incarceration, with credit for three days already served. He must serve the remaining four days before May 20, 2025. Crabtree pleaded guilty and was sentenced on Nov. 21 by U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie A. Hambrick. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Calmes prosecuted the case.
- Matthew Stetzel, 36, Mammoth, Wyoming: Stetzel was sentenced for DUI, refusing to consent to a breath test and possessing an open container of alcohol in a vehicle. He received a $750 fine and one year of unsupervised probation for the DUI, including a ban from Yellowstone during that time. For the open container violation, Stetzel was fined $100. For refusing a breath test, he was sentenced to seven days in jail, with credit for one day served. He must serve the remaining six days before May 21, 2025. Stetzel pleaded guilty and was sentenced on Nov. 21 by U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie A. Hambrick. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Calmes prosecuted the case.
Drug Trafficking
- Ricardo Valencia, 43, Long Beach, California: Valencia was sentenced to 87 months in prison with four years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. On July 11, 2022, the Wyoming Highway Patrol stopped Valencia on Interstate 80 in Laramie County for speeding. A search of the vehicle, prompted by a narcotics dog alert, revealed 8 pounds of methamphetamine, a loaded .38 caliber revolver and drug paraphernalia. Valencia admitted ownership of the items. He pleaded guilty on Aug. 30, and U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson sentenced him on Nov. 21 in Cheyenne. The WHP and the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Forwood prosecuted the case.
- Nicholas Elton Terry, 40, Torrington, Wyoming: Terry was sentenced to 30 months in prison with three years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. On I-25 in Laramie County, the WHP discovered 1,000 fentanyl pills during a traffic stop for speeding. Terry, who appeared nervous and lacked documentation for the vehicle, was detained after a narcotics dog alerted to drugs in the vehicle. He pleaded guilty on Aug. 28, and Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl sentenced him on Nov. 19 in Casper. The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation and WHP investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christyne M. Martens prosecuted the case.
Unlawful Possession of a Machine Gun
- Preston Lewis, 21, Rock Springs, Wyoming: Lewis was sentenced to 30 months in prison with three years of supervised release for unlawful possession of a machine gun. In April, Rock Springs police investigated Lewis for suspicious firearms purchases. He admitted to straw purchasing firearms and modifying a semiautomatic pistol and rifle into fully automatic weapons. Lewis waived indictment and pleaded guilty on July 18. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl sentenced him on Nov. 20 in Casper. The FBI; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Rock Springs Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Elmore prosecuted the case.
For additional information, visit www.justice.gov/usao-wy.
