CHEYENNE, Wyo. – A 23-year old woman was arrested by the Cheyenne Police Department (CPD) on multiple felony charges after running out of gas in an allegedly stolen vehicle that law enforcement says contained illicit narcotics.
Officials with the CPD say that an officer observed Paula Downer sitting in a vehicle near the area of E 21st Street and Morrie Avenue. during the morning hours of December 16th, 2020. According to the sworn affidavit, Downer told the officer that her car had run out of gas while she was driving.
Court papers filed in the case say that Downer had given the officer a fake name at first. Police say that Downer later stated that she gave a false name to authorities due to having a warrant out of Colorado.
The affidavit reports that when investigators ran the vehicle through the National Crime Information Center it came back as being reported to Laramie County law enforcement as stolen.
Downer advised that she had borrowed the vehicle from a friend, according to Laramie County Circuit Court paperwork.
During a search of the vehicle, officers report locating a black safe under the driver’s seat. Police say that they located the key to the safe on the same keychain used in the ignition.
“The safe contained 3.6 grams of suspected Methamphetamine, and seven small resealable plastic bags containing suspected synthetic marijuana, commonly referred to as ‘spice’,” a CPD officer stated in the affidavit.
Law enforcement added that they also discovered a Wyoming issued identification card with Downer’s name and picture and two bank cards with that had her name on them as well.
Paula Downer made her initial appearance in Laramie County Circuit Court on December 18th, 2020 where she was read the felony charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession with Intent to Deliver THC Spice and Theft. Downer was also read the misdemeanor counts of Possession of THC Spice and Interference with a Peace Officer during the same court proceeding.
According to Wyoming statutes, if convicted on all recommended charges Downing could face 29 years in prison and/or fines of up to $27,000.
All of those cited or arrested are presumed innocent until convicted in a court of law. Charges are subject to change following official filings from the Laramie County District Attorney’s Office. Information is provided by the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office.
