CHEYENNE, Wyo. — A Cheyenne man was sentenced to three years of supervised probation on Dec. 26 after pleading guilty to bringing controlled substances into the Laramie County Detention Center.
Judge Peter H. Froelicher sentenced Edward James McGaha, 43, to 18–36 months in prison, suspended in favor of probation, as part of a plea agreement. McGaha, identified as an addicted offender, must complete treatment and pay $350 in court fees. The court waived $500 in public defender fees due to his financial circumstances.
The agreement also resulted in the dismissal of four additional charges: felony possession of methamphetamine, misdemeanor possession of cocaine, misdemeanor possession of psilocybin mushrooms and misdemeanor possession of fentanyl. Prosecutors stood by the resolution and McGaha’s defense counsel supported it, urging the court to adopt the plea deal.
The charges stemmed from a Sept. 5 arrest near Interstate 25 and West Lincolnway, where Officer McGraw of the Cheyenne Police Department conducted a traffic stop on McGaha’s vehicle for unlit taillights. Upon approaching the vehicle, Officer McGraw detected the odor of burnt marijuana. A subsequent search revealed narcotics paraphernalia, psilocybin mushrooms, a scale and suspected fentanyl residue.
During a strip search at the detention center, deputies discovered additional suspected fentanyl hidden on McGaha. Officers later found approximately 11.43 grams of methamphetamine in the back of the patrol vehicle, which surveillance footage showed McGaha attempting to conceal.
Under the terms of his probation, McGaha must remain under strict supervision and participate in mandatory drug treatment. Any violations could lead to the reinstatement of his original prison sentence of 18–36 months.
