Skip to main content
Press Release

Activity in the U.S. Attorney's Office

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Wyoming
Recent Sentencings

Drug Trafficking

Shane Michael Moser, 29, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, was sentenced to 140 months’ imprisonment with four years’ supervised release to follow, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to court documents, on May 17, the Casper Police Department responded to an unconscious male behind the steering wheel of a running vehicle. Upon approaching the car, officers saw a scale with white residue next to Moser. They searched the vehicle and located 223 grams of methamphetamine in the center console. After interviewing the defendant, he admitted to distributing approximately nine pounds of methamphetamine over two months. Moser was indicted on July 18, pleaded guilty on Sept. 30, and U.S. District Court Judge Kelly H. Rankin imposed the sentence on Dec. 20, in Cheyenne. Wyoming.  Division of Criminal Investigation Central Enforcement Team and the Casper Police Department investigated the crime. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Forwood prosecuted the case. Case No. 24-00117

Firearm Offenses

Justin Keith Noland, 38, of Riverton, Wyoming was sentenced to 28 months’ imprisonment, with three years’ supervised release to follow, for being a felon in possession of firearms. According to court documents, on June 25, the Division of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO), executed a State of Wyoming search warrant for Noland’s residence based on probable cause of drug trafficking. The search warrant also authorized law enforcement to search for and seize firearms. In addition, Noland had extraditable arrest warrants out of Natrona and Converse counties.

Law enforcement located a total of three pistols, two of them loaded, and additional ammunition in a backpack. Noland is a previously convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing a firearm. Noland was indicted on July 18, pleaded guilty on Sept. 25 and Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence on Dec. 18, in Casper. DCI and the FCSO investigated the crime. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy W. Gist prosecuted the case. Case No. 24-CR-00123

Illegal Re-Entry of a Previously Deported Alien

Inocente Rios-Lopez aka Villaverde-Sotelo, 48, of Sinaloa Mexico, was sentenced to time served (62 days) and will be deported for illegal reentry into the United States. According to court documents, on Oct. 5, Villaverde-Sotelo was arrested by the Rock Spring Police Department for driving while under the influence. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was notified when Sweetwater County Jail emailed Villaverde-Sotelo’s arrest information, including a Mexico Voter identification card named Inocente Rios-Lopez to the agency.  On Oct. 7, ICE agents obtained fingerprints that matched an existing immigration record for Villaverde-Sotello who was removed from the U.S. in 2001 and had not applied for permission to reenter. ICE investigated the crime, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case. U.S. District Court Judge Kelly H. Rankin imposed the sentence on Dec. 17, in Cheyenne. Case No. 24-CR-00158


About the United States Attorney’s Office

The United States Attorney’s Office is responsible for representing the federal government in virtually all litigation involving the United States in the District of Wyoming, including all criminal prosecutions for violations of federal law, civil lawsuits brought by or against the government, and actions to collect judgments and restitution on behalf of victims and taxpayers. The Office is involved in several programs designed to make our communities safer. They include:

Environmental Justice
The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

Project Safe Childhood
Project Safe Childhood (PSC) is a DOJ initiative that combats the proliferation of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation crimes against children. The threat of sexual predators soliciting children for sexual contact is well-known and serious.

Project Safe Neighborhoods
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is a nationwide commitment to reducing gun and gang crime in America by networking existing local programs that target gun crime and providing these programs with additional tools necessary to be successful.

Victim Witness Assistance
The Victim Witness Coordinator for the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming is dedicated to making sure that victims of federal crimes and their family members are treated with compassion, fairness, and respect.

To report a federal crime, go to: https://www.justice.gov/actioncenter/report-crime

Contact

Contact: Lori Hogan (Contractor)
Public Information Officer
Office: 307-772-2124 
Email: usawy.pio@usdoj.gov
Twitter: @usaowy
 

Updated December 30, 2024

Topics
Project Safe Neighborhoods
Drug Trafficking
Firearms Offenses
Press Release Number: 24-085