Activity in the U.S. Attorney's Office

Child Pornography

Clayton Tanner, 20, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence on Mar. 14. The federal sentence will be served concurrent to a prior state sentence imposed on Tanner for similar crimes. According to court documents, Cybertips and a local police investigation led officers to Tanner, who is a registered sex offender. Investigators found numerous images of child sexual abuse material on Tanner’s phone. He was then indicted and pleaded guilty to the sole count of the indictment on Oct. 16, 2023. This crime was investigated by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation and Cheyenne Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christyne M. Martens.

Zayne Ryan Beeson, 23, of Gillette, Wyoming, was sentenced to 80 months in federal prison for receipt of child pornography. Senior U.S. District Court Judge Nancy D. Freudenthal imposed the sentence on Mar. 18. According to court documents, the investigation began in March 2023 when Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office in Hopkins County, Texas, received a call of possible online solicitation of a minor. The investigation uncovered sexually explicit images, video and text messages between the underage minor and Beeson. In an interview with agents from the Wyoming Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Beeson admitted to the conduct with the minor victim, including asking for and receiving the child pornography. Beeson’s tattoo matched images exchanged via Instagram with the minor victim. He was indicted and pleaded guilty on Oct. 10, 2023. This crime was investigated by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christyne M. Martens.

Wildlife Violation

Jonathan Lee Cox, 31, of Twin Falls, Idaho, was sentenced to three years’ probation and ordered to pay $6,100 in restitution for attempted unlawful transportation and sale of illegally possessed wildlife. Cox pleaded guilty to the charge on Dec. 15, 2023. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence on Mar. 11. According to court documents, in Apr. 2023, federal and state law enforcement officers in Teton County began an investigation of illegal shed antler collecting on the Bridger-Teton National Forest and the National Elk Refuge. On May 7, investigators found Cox on the National Elk Refuge with shed elk antlers. Cox admitted to illegal shed antler collecting. This crime was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Forest Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Elmore prosecuted the case.

*Correction** Domestic Violence

In the previous press release, it stated Vincent Acosta was sentenced to 60 months. He was in fact sentenced to 78 months.

Vincent Acosta, age 46, of Moran, Wyoming, was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison for sexual abuse. Senior U.S. District Court Nancy D. Freudenthal imposed the sentence on Mar. 4. According to court documents, Acosta and the victim were seasonal employees working for a business operating in Grand Teton National Park. Park Rangers were called to the employee housing for the business for a report of a sexual assault. Acosta pled guilty to sexually assaulting the victim on Nov. 16, 2023. The crime was investigated by the National Park Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Elmore.