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
Marcus Sather, 30, of Fort Washakie, Wyoming, was sentenced to 10 month’s imprisonment with three years of supervised release, for drug trafficking and aiding and abetting. According to court documents, in January of 2024, agents with the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) were conducting controlled purchases of illegal substances from known and suspected drug dealers on the Wind River Reservation. On Jan. 17, 2024, agents successfully purchased fentanyl from Sather and a co-defendant. Sather was indicted on July 17, 2024, pleaded guilty on Oct. 15, 2024, and U.S. District Court Judge Kelly H. Rankin imposed the sentence on Jan. 6, in Cheyenne. DCI and the FBI investigated the crime. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy W. Gist prosecuted the case. Case No. 24-00120
Sarah Elizabeth Ward, 36, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, was sentenced to 60 months with three years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine. According to court documents, on March 9, 2024, the Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP) conducted a traffic stop in Natrona County to execute a search warrant on Ward’s vehicle for suspected illegal drug activity. Law enforcement located approximately 430 fentanyl pills and 140 grams of methamphetamine along with a scale and small bags consistent with drug distribution. Ward was indicted on May 16, 2024, pleaded guilty on Oct. 17, 2024, and U.S. District Court Judge Kelly H. Rankin imposed the sentence on Jan. 8, in Cheyenne. DCI and the WHP investigated the crime. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mackenzie Morrison prosecuted the case. Case No. 24-00066
Marlon Forrest, 29, of Port Maria, Jamaica, was sentenced to 80 months in federal prison with three years of supervised release, for aiding and abetting the distribution of cocaine. According to court documents, in November of 2023, DCI Southwest Enforcement Team began an investigation into a cocaine drug trafficking organization that was operating in and around Jackson, Wyoming. Agents arranged for several controlled buys through Forrest over the course of a month, who sent another individual to deliver the cocaine on his behalf. Forrest ultimately admitted to redistributing ten or more kilograms of cocaine in Wyoming. Forrest was indicted on March 13, 2024, pleaded guilty on May 22, 2024, and U.S. District Court Judge Kelly H. Rankin imposed the sentence on Jan. 9, in Cheyenne. DCI investigated the crime, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Z. Seth Griswold prosecuted the case.
Illegal Re-Entry of a Previously Deported Alien
Juan Antonio Cortez-Chavez, 32, of Tepalcatepec, Michoacan, Mexico, was sentenced to time served and will be deported for illegal reentry into the United States. According to court documents, on March 5, 2024, Cortez-Chavez was arrested by WHP in Converse County for driving while under the influence. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was notified when Cortez-Chavez admitted to being a citizen of Mexico. On March 21, 2024, ICE agents obtained fingerprints that matched an existing immigration record for Cortez-Chavez who was removed from the U.S. in 2014 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 Jan. 8, in Cheyenne. Case No. 24-CR-00073
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 January 14, 2025
Topic
Drug Trafficking
Components