CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Judge Steven K. Sharpe oversaw a full docket in Laramie County District Court on Dec. 27, handling arraignments, bond revocation hearings, probation revocations, plea changes and sentencings. Several cases involved probation violations and complex plea agreements, with resolutions ranging from deferrals to imposed sentences.
Arraignments
- Robert Pedro – Pedro pleaded not guilty to possession of a controlled substance with a third-offense enhancement and second-or-subsequent-offense aggravated eluding. The defense requested a bond reduction to $1,000 cash, citing stable housing, employment and his intent to seek treatment through drug court. The state objected due to Pedro’s criminal history and failures to appear. Bond remained at $3,000 cash.
- Ronald Romero – Romero pleaded not guilty to two counts of aggravated assault and battery with a deadly weapon, which could carry a mandatory life sentence under habitual offender enhancement. Trial was set for February 2025.
- Kenneth Orr – Orr failed to appear for his scheduled arraignment. The hearing was reset for 1:30 p.m. Jan. 13, and no warrant was issued.
- Kevin Gomez – Gomez pleaded not guilty to one count of aggravated assault and battery involving injury with a weapon. Trial was set for May 2025.
Bond Revocation Arraignment
- Jared Jones – Jones denied allegations of violating bond by incurring new charges in New Mexico. Trial was set for February 2025, and an evidentiary hearing on bond was scheduled for Jan. 7. Bond was set at $10,000 cash.
Probation Revocation Arraignment
- Joseph Torrez – Torrez admitted to violating probation by being convicted of a new charge in Colorado. A factual basis was found, and probation was revoked and reinstated for a reduced term of 18 months starting Dec. 27, 2024. Public defender fees of $250 were waived, and Torrez was credited with an additional eight days of time served.
Changes of Plea and Sentencings
- Treyvale Big Medicine – Big Medicine pleaded guilty to escaping from the Cheyenne Transitional Center. The defense requested a sentence of 18–24 months concurrent with an aggravated assault conviction to allow for participation in the Intensive Treatment Unit program and anger management. The state argued for a consecutive two to four years, citing his criminal history and ineligibility for credit for time served. The judge sentenced Big Medicine to two to three years imposed, consecutive to his aggravated assault conviction, with a recommendation for ITU. No credit was granted for time served. Public defender fees of $500 were waived, while court fees totaling $125 were imposed.
- Aaron Gilfillan – Gilfillan entered a no-contest plea to possession of a precursor with intent to start a clandestine lab. The plea agreement recommended 12–18 months suspended for 12 months’ probation, with charges on counts 2 and 3 dismissed. A presentence investigation report was ordered, and sentencing was scheduled for April 2025.
- Daniel Holmquist – Holmquist pleaded guilty to check fraud under a plea agreement recommending a § 7-13-301 deferral with two years’ probation and $2,712.75 in restitution. A factual basis was found, and sentencing was scheduled for April 2025.
- Melinda Hurt – Hurt pleaded guilty under an Alford plea agreement to felony theft across two dockets. The agreement recommended three to five years suspended for three years’ probation, with $3,897.93 restitution. The state noted a lack of accountability but went along with the agreement. The judge reluctantly followed the plea deal, sentencing Hurt to concurrent probation terms across both dockets. Court costs totaling $600 and $3,000 in public defender fees were imposed.
- Abel Anaya – Anaya was sentenced to two to five years for fourth-offense DUI, with all but 90 days suspended for three years’ probation. Credit for 21 days time served was given, and incarceration at the Cheyenne Transitional Center was set to begin Jan. 8. Court costs totaling $325 were imposed, while $500 in public defender fees were waived.
- Michael Snyder – Snyder was sentenced for forgery under a plea agreement recommending 18–24 months suspended for two years’ probation. The court noted his sobriety, steady employment and efforts to save for restitution. The judge imposed the sentence, ordered $4,200 restitution, and credited Snyder with 26 days time served. Public defender fees of $500 were waived, while court costs of $325 were imposed.
