Activity in the U.S. Attorney's Office

Drug Trafficking

Brady Joseph Ehlers, 35, of Evanston, Wyoming, was sentenced to a total of 168 months’ imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and distribution of fentanyl. According to court documents, 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. Through surveillance and interviews, they were able to track Ehlers’ movements to purchase fentanyl from Colorado and distribute it in Laramie County. The investigation revealed that Ehlers sold fentanyl to other redistributors, which resulted in the death of another person who overdosed on fentanyl. Detectives also issued search warrants, resulting in the seizure of fentanyl and drug paraphernalia from Ehler’s vehicle and residence. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Cheyenne Police Department investigated the crime. Assistance U.S. Attorney Mackenzie Morrison prosecuted the case. U.S. District Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence in Cheyenne on April 15, 2025.  

Eli Alan Elbert, 44, of Gillette, Wyoming, was sentenced in two separate criminal cases to 240 months’ imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release. In one criminal case, Elbert was charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition. In the second criminal case, Elbert was charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and use of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. The indictments were filed Nov. 21, 2024. At the change of plea hearing on Feb. 27, Elbert admitted to being a felon and having possession of seven rounds of ammunition on June 29, 2024. He further admitted that from March 1 to May 29, 2024, he knowingly and intentionally conspired with others to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Elbert admitted to trading guns for drugs and selling methamphetamine between March 1, 2024, and May 29, 2024. This crime was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Campbell County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case. Chief U.S. District Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence in Casper on May 29.

John Fowler, 35, with no permanent residency, was sentenced to a total of 151 months’ imprisonment, followed by 5 years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine and for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine. According to court records, on July 31, 2024, Wyoming law enforcement agencies received a tip that Fowler would be traveling to Wyoming from Texas with a large quantity of drugs. The next day, the car was pulled over in Natrona County, where officers found 404 grams of methamphetamine and around 48 grams of cocaine. Law enforcement learned that Fowler had previously obtained additional methamphetamine in June of 2024 as well. The indictment was filed on November 20, 2024, and Fowler pleaded guilty on March 11, 2024. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Natrona County Sheriff’s Department investigated the crime. Assistance U.S. Attorney Mackenzie Morrison prosecuted the case. Chief U.S. District Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence in Casper on May 29, 2025.

Firearm Offenses

Larry Michael Munday, 54, of Rozet, Wyoming, was sentenced to 48 months with three years of supervised release to follow for possession of an unregistered firearm. According to court documents, in late May of 2024, a federal firearm licensee shipped eight silencers to another licensee in Gillette using UPS. UPS discovered that Munday, an overnight cleaner, had stolen the packages as well as more than 150 other packages. The eight silencers were discovered at Munday’s residence and were not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. The Campbell County Sheriff’s Office, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the crime. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paige Hammer prosecuted the case. Munday was indicted on Sept. 18, 2024, and pleaded guilty on March 7. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence in Cheyenne on May 27. Case No. 24-00147

Lavoy Robert Grandpre, III, 51, of Wheatland, Wyoming, was sentenced to 46 months with three years of supervised release to follow for being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, on July 3, 2024, Mr. Grandpre met with his state probation officer as required by the terms of his supervised release stemming from a state conviction. As part of the meeting, Mr. Grandpre’struck was searched, and multiple types of ammunition were located. Mr. Grandpre’s house was also searched and seven firearms were located. The Wheatland Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the crime. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paige Hammer prosecuted the case. Munday was indicted on Sept. 18, 2024, and pleaded guilty on March 7. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence in Cheyenne on May 27. Case No. 24-00147

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.

Operation Take Back America
Operation Take Back America is a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. It also streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

Victim Witness Program
The Victim Witness Coordinator for the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming is dedicated to ensuring 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