News

CHEYENNE, WY – On September 29, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice rescinded previous guidance concerning the prosecution of simple marijuana possession. U.S. Attorney Smith promptly notified federal law enforcement agencies that marijuana offenses occurring on federal land, such as national parks, will now be rigorously prosecuted.

U.S. Attorney Smith announced that three co-conspirators have recently been sentenced for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Beginning in September of 2024, detectives with the Cheyenne Police Department Community Action Team began an investigation into the distribution of fentanyl in the Cheyenne area. 

CHEYENNE, WYOMING – Shu Ping Chen, 48, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison with no supervised release for filing a false tax return.

U.S. Attorney Darin Smith announced that Gabriel Seth Rodgers, 26, who had been residing in Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico, was sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment with 10 years of supervised release to follow for charges related to the distribution of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine. 

Eileen Marie Hurley, 71, of Sheridan, Wyoming, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in federal prison with one year of supervised release for transfer of a firearm to a prohibited person and for making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. 

Sean P. Madigan, 35, and Victoria Madigan, 35, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, were both sentenced to five years of supervised probation for crimes related to making false statements and wire fraud. 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that Darin D. Smith has taken the oath of office—administered by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Kelly H. Rankin on Monday—to serve as the United States Attorney for the District of Wyoming. U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi appointed Mr. Smith to serve as interim U.S. Attorney.