Cheyenne, Wyo. — Judge Peter H. Froelicher presided over a series of arraignments, change of plea hearings and sentencings in Laramie County District Court on Dec. 12. The proceedings addressed a variety of charges, with significant focus on plea agreements and probation requirements.
Arraignments
- Bridget Copley – Copley pleaded not guilty to charges in her case. After a prior failure to appear for arraignment, her bond was reset to $3,000 at 10%. The defense resolved previous communication issues with Copley regarding court dates. Her trial was set for March.
- Kayla Gehnert – Gehnert pleaded not guilty. Her defense requested a bond reduction to own recognizance, citing financial hardship and the need to attend physical therapy in Colorado. The state did not object, and bond was reduced to her own recognizance, with travel limited to medical purposes.
- Jacob Hutchins – Hutchins pleaded not guilty to three counts. His trial was scheduled for March, and his bond was reduced to $5,000 at 10%.
- Matthew Campos – Campos pleaded not guilty, with trial set for March. The defense requested a modification to a tiered alcohol testing system.
- Angela Shiminski – Shiminski pleaded not guilty. Her trial was scheduled for March.
Change of Plea Hearings
- Michael Gutierrez – Gutierrez pleaded guilty under a plea agreement to felonious restraint. The court found a factual basis for the plea. Sentencing was set for March, with bond reduced to his own recognizance. Under the plea agreement, Gutierrez faces three to five years suspended for three years’ probation.
- Kalah Giorno – Giorno pleaded no contest to theft and eluding under a plea agreement. The court found a factual basis for the charges. Sentencing was set for March, and bond was reduced to their own recognizance. The plea agreement includes two to four years suspended for three years’ probation on theft, consecutive to credit for time served on eluding.
- Evan Kearsley – Kearsley pleaded no contest to property destruction and guilty to eluding and DUI. The court found a factual basis based on Kearsley’s statements and an affidavit. Sentencing was scheduled for March, with bond reduced to his own recognizance. The plea agreement includes three to five years suspended for three years’ probation on property destruction, with time served on the eluding and DUI charges.
- William Nicholson – Nicholson pleaded guilty to possession of a weapon with unlawful intent and reckless endangerment under a plea agreement. A factual basis was found, and sentencing was set for March. The plea agreement includes two to four years suspended for three years’ probation on the weapon charge and time served on reckless endangerment.
Change of Plea and Sentencing
- Daryl Stottlemyer – Stottlemyer pleaded guilty to failing to register as a sex offender under a plea agreement. The court found a factual basis for the plea and proceeded directly to sentencing. The defense and state presented differing credit calculations for time served, with the judge crediting 505 days. Stottlemyer was sentenced to 12–15 months imposed, with public defender fees waived.
Sentencings
- Levi Stillwell – Stillwell was sentenced to two to four years suspended for two years’ probation following a plea to burglary. The plea agreement dismissed additional burglary charges. Stillwell was ordered to complete treatment as part of his probation. Restitution was ordered, with $275 in court fees assessed and public defender fees waived.
- Samantha Sherlock – Sherlock was sentenced in two dockets. In one docket she received three to five years suspended for three years’ probation for theft greater than $1,000. On the second docket, she was sentenced to three to five years suspended for three years’ probation for possession of methamphetamine. Both sentences run concurrently. Sherlock was credited with 162 days served on the theft charge and 152 days on the possession charge. She was ordered to complete treatment as part of her probation. Court fees of $475 were assessed, while $1,000 in public defender fees were waived.
