CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Judge Catherine R. Rogers presided over a busy docket in Laramie County District Court on Jan. 2, addressing arraignments, probation revocations, plea changes and sentencings. The proceedings included cases involving probation violations, sentencing deferrals and imposed sentences.
Sentencings
- Joel Huston – Huston pleaded guilty under a plea agreement in two separate dockets. A factual basis was found, and sentencing was set for February. The agreement contemplates an imposed sentence of two to four years.
- Emanuel Rhodes – Rhodes pleaded guilty to failure to register as a sex offender under a plea agreement. A factual basis was found, and he was sentenced to two to four years imposed, with credit for 123 days served. Rhodes, a qualified offender under the addicted offender act, faced challenges due to homelessness. Judge Rogers stated, “This world is all kinds of upside down if I have to send a man to prison to get some resources.” Public defender fees of $500 were waived, and $50 in court costs were assessed.
- Donavan D. Studer – Studer pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance with a third-offense enhancement under a plea agreement. A factual basis was found. Studer, who had prior convictions in 2021 and 2024, was sentenced to 18–36 months imposed with 49 days of credit for time served. Court costs of $300 were assessed, and $1,000 in public defender fees were waived.
- Samuel Figarola – Figarola was sentenced under a 7-13-301 deferral to three years of supervised probation for felony theft. He was ordered to pay $7,249.20 in restitution and received five days of credit for time served.
- Diana Valero – Valero’s probation was reinstated and shortened to time served after the defense argued for leniency due to meaningful employment, supervised living conditions and extensive testing. Judge Rogers discharged the sentence to allow Valero to remain under supervision in Colorado.
Probation Revocation
- Ryan Richard Bixler – Bixler admitted to probation violations after failing to appear at a prior sentencing. The state sought to impose the underlying sentence of five to seven years but ultimately agreed to a sentence of two to four years suspended for three years of probation on new burglary charges. Probation was revoked and reinstated in an earlier case. Bixler received credit for 196 days served in the earlier docket and 142 days in the most recent case. He was ordered to pay $1,487.02 in restitution and $575 in court costs. Public defender fees of $250 were waived.
Bond Revocation
- Kent R. Embree Jr. – Embree denied allegations of failing to comply with bond conditions. An evidentiary hearing was scheduled for late January. An additional $10,000 cash or surety bond was added to his existing $10,000 cash bond.
- Ronald Stringer – Stringer appeared for a must-appear status hearing.
