Activity in the U.S. Attorney's Office

Drug Trafficking

Jason Trimmer, 47, of Lander, Wyoming, was sentenced to a total of 180 months’ imprisonment to be followed by five years of supervised release for possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. According to court documents, in late 2024, agents with the Rocky Mountain Safe Trails Task Force were investigating the trafficking of controlled substances in and around the Wind River Reservation. The task force had information that Trimmer was distributing controlled substances in the area. On April 3, 2024, during a routine traffic stop of Trimmer’s vehicle, officers discovered a variety of controlled substances including more than 100 counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, and cash. Officers also located a handgun in the driver’s side door pocket. Subsequently, law enforcement obtained a warrant and searched Trimmer’s residence where they located additional fentanyl, more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, other controlled substances, firearms, a large quantity of cash, as well as scales and packaging material for redistribution. Trimmer was indicted on July 18, 2024, and pleaded guilty on Dec. 2, 2024. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence on Feb. 27 in Cheyenne. The investigation was conducted by the FBI, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy W. Gist prosecuted the case. Case No. 24-00118.

Elysia Annay Grams, 22, of Gillette, Wyoming, was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment with five years of supervised release to follow for conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. According to court documents, from March 2024 through May 29, 2024, Grams, along with others in Wyoming and Colorado conspired to obtain methamphetamine in Colorado and distribute it in Wyoming. In May, Grams was arrested near Douglas, Wyoming, where she was found in possession of more than 500 grams of methamphetamine and a large sum of currency. She was indicted on July 18, 2024, and pleaded guilty on Dec. 2, 2024. U.S. District Court Judge Kelly H. Rankin imposed the sentence on Feb. 20 in Cheyenne. The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation investigated the crime. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case. Case No. 24-00103.

Firearms Offense

Rudy Armando Cuellar, 37, of West Valley, Utah, was sentenced to 36 months for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  According to court documents, on June 2, 2023, a trooper with the Wyoming Highway Patrol, stopped Cuellar for driving 93 mph in a 75-mph zone. Cuellar was arrested on an outstanding Laramie County warrant. During an inventory search of the vehicle, officers located a duffle bag containing a firearm, several grams of cocaine, and identifying documents associated with Cuellar. The firearm was later determined to be stolen. In addition, pursuant to a search warrant, officers located another firearm in a bag behind the driver’s seat. Cuellar was a convicted felon at the time of the stop. He was indicted on Nov. 15, 2023, and pleaded guilty on Nov. 26, 2024. U.S. Chief District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence on February 19 in Casper, Wyoming. Wyoming Highway Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the crime. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mackenzie R. Morrison prosecuted the case. Case No. 23-00156.

Assault

Dylan Cameron Houtstra, 32, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was sentenced to 9 months’ imprisonment with one year of supervised release for assault by striking, beating, or wounding. According to court documents, on June 4, 2021, a security officer for a concessionaire in Grand Teton National Park and U.S. Park Rangers were dispatched to a disturbance in employee housing near Grand Teton Lodge Company. The victim stated that Houtstra was drunk and had grabbed her by the neck and attempted to choke her while she screamed for him to get off. She was able to hold him back and eventually escaped. Multiple witnesses corroborated her story. Houtstra was indicted on July 20, 2022; he pleaded guilty on Dec. 4, 2024; and Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence on Feb. 25 in Casper. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kerry J. Jacobson prosecuted the case. Case No. 22-00088

Jose Gabriel Ingellis-Benitez, 36, of Port Saint Lucie, Florida, was sentenced to 20 months’ imprisonment with three years of supervised release for assault by strangulation. According to court documents, on Aug. 5, 2024, a human resources manager for a Grand Teton National Park concessionaire contacted U.S. Park Rangers regarding an assault by strangulation that occurred in employee housing near Signal Mountain Lodge. The victim stated she had an argument with the defendant the night before and, during the argument, he strangled her. She recorded the strangulation using her cell phone and submitted it to the Rangers. Ingellis-Benitez was indicted on Sept. 18, 2024, he pleaded guilty on Dec. 4, 2024, and Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence on Feb. 25 in Casper. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kerry J. Jacobson prosecuted the case. Case No. 22-00149

Illegal Reentry of a Previously Deported Alien

Luis Lopez-Romero, 38, of Guanajuato, Mexico, was sentenced to time served and will be deported for illegal reentry into the United States. According to court documents, on Oct. 2, 2022, Lopez-Romero was arrested by the Jackson Police Department for three charges of duty upon colliding with an unattended vehicle. In February 2025, agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) determined that Lopez-Romero had previously been removed from the U.S. and had not applied for permission to reenter after being formally removed in August 2013. ICE investigated the crime, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence on Feb. 21 in Cheyenne. Case No. 24-CR-00143.

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:

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