CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Judge Thomas Lee presided over a full docket in Laramie County Circuit Court on Nov. 27, addressing arraignments, sentencings and plea agreements.
Pretrial Conferences and Arraignments
- Christina Bardell pleaded guilty to DUI under a plea agreement, which dismissed a lane violation charge. A factual basis for the plea was found, and the defense requested reduced testing requirements, which Judge Lee denied until treatment is completed. A substance abuse evaluation was ordered, and sentencing was set for January 2025.
- Laura Lee Earley pleaded guilty to DUI with a blood alcohol content of 0.3%. Though the state did not file an amendment to enhance the charge to a second-offense-within-10-years DUI, Judge Lee noted this would be at least Earley’s third lifetime DUI. “This is so selfish and so dangerous it is beyond words,” Judge Lee stated. He sentenced Earley to 120 days with three days’ credit for time served, suspending the remaining 117 days for one year probation. Continued testing and treatment were ordered, along with $270 in court fees.
- Thomas R. Evans failed to appear for his pretrial conference, reportedly due to confusion surrounding an accepted plea agreement. Speedy trial rights were vacated, and the case was reset for a change of plea in January.
- Matthew Setterstrom pleaded not guilty to a charge of violating a protection order. A scheduling conference was set for February 2025.
- Geovana and Joey Valdez appeared for a pretrial conference where the state amended their charges to conspiracy to commit battery. The defense argued there was no evidence for the amendment, but Judge Lee upheld the charges. Both defendants waived potential conflicts of interest from sharing counsel. The state plans to join the cases, and the jury panel size was increased to accommodate the joint trial.
Plea Agreements and Sentencings
- Lorissa A. Malendrez pleaded no contest to a refiled possession of a controlled substance charge under a plea agreement. Originally charged as bringing a controlled substance into a jail in district court, the case was reduced and refiled in circuit court. Sentencing was set for Dec. 18 to determine her eligibility for a deferral under Wyoming statute 35-7-1037.
- Devan Aleczander Stanford pleaded guilty to two counts of theft: one for a pressure washer from a retail store and another for a motorcycle. Judge Lee broke from the plea agreement, sentencing Stanford to 180 days on the first theft count, with 132 days’ credit for time served and 58 days suspended for six months’ probation. For the second count, Stanford was sentenced to 180 days suspended for six months’ probation. Both sentences run consecutively to penalties in an ongoing felony probation revocation case. Restitution was set at $264.99, while $370 in court fees and $750 in public defender fees were waived.
- Robin S. Veum pleaded guilty to an amended charge of breach of peace, reduced from domestic assault. She was sentenced to 30 days with 19 days’ credit for time served, suspending the remaining 11 days for six months’ probation. Court fees of $220 and public defender fees of $250 were waived.
- Tabitha Daly pleaded guilty to theft and was sentenced to 15 days with five days’ credit for time served. The remaining 10 days were suspended for six months’ probation. Restitution of $80 to a local hotel was entered as a civil judgment. Court fees of $220 and public defender fees of $250 were waived.
- Dajha Stratton pleaded guilty to one count of theft under a plea agreement that dismissed a charge of driving under suspension. Stratton was sentenced to 30 days suspended for six months’ probation and ordered to pay $174.98 in restitution. She was also assessed $220 in court fees.
Other Hearings
- Fabian Hernandez appeared for a probation revocation and sentencing but was continued to allow time to apply to drug court and other treatment programs.
- Ronald Andrew Romero’s change of plea was rescheduled for January due to complications with a plea agreement related to another case in district court.
- Antonio Negroni’s arraignment was continued until January because he has not yet hired an attorney due to his participation in treatment.
- Braxton Withers failed to appear for his change of plea, and the case was continued to December.
- Curventa L. Moye failed to appear for arraignment, prompting the issuance of a bench warrant.
