Gillette man sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine

Wade Schear, 42, of Gillette, Wyoming, was sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Kelly H. Rankin imposed the sentence on July 17, 2025, in Cheyenne.

Shear was convicted by a federal jury on April 30 following a three-day jury trial. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation Central Enforcement Team began an investigation into the possession, transportation, and distribution of methamphetamine in Natrona County. During the investigation, Schear was identified as a person of interest. On June 22, 2024, the Platte County Sheriff's Office conducted a traffic stop on Schear's vehicle near Chugwater. Deputies searched Schear's vehicle after a K9 alerted to presence of controlled substances. Deputies located approximately 871 grams of methamphetamine in two large plastic bags hidden in Schear’s backpack. Trial evidence indicated Schear frequently traveled from Wyoming to Colorado to obtain large quantities of methamphetamine to bring back to Wyoming. Schear had previously been convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on two occasions.

The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation Central Enforcement Team and the Platte County Sheriff’s Office investigated the crime. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mackenzie R. Morrison and Eric Heimann prosecuted the case.

Case No. 24-CR-00136