Upton man sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment for planting a destructive device

On Jan. 27, U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson sentenced an Upton man to 30 months’ imprisonment with two years of supervised release for possessing a destructive device. The court also imposed a $300 fine.

David Riggle, 40, of Upton, Wyoming, was arrested on April 28, 2025, for allegedly planting a destructive device inside a storage trailer on a drilling company’s property in Weston County. The device was discovered on Nov. 30, 2024, after a worker noticed the smell of propane emanating from the trailer. Inside, authorities found a battery-powered device with wires, a timer, and a fuse placed next to an open 100-pound propane tank, releasing gas. Investigators believe the timer was intended to delay ignition so the suspect could escape.

The device ultimately failed to ignite but law enforcement said it was otherwise capable of causing serious harm. Footprints at the scene led investigator in the direction of Riggle’s home approximately two-thirds of a mile away. A federal search warrant executed at Riggle’s home on Dec. 11, 2024, uncovered footprints matching those at the scene, along with a 6-volt battery matching the battery connected to the device, safety fuse, wires, and soldering tools consistent with components used in the device.

“This was not a harmless or symbolic act. The defendant placed a functioning propane-based explosive inside a work trailer, putting employees, nearby residents, and an entire community at risk of serious injury or death. While the device failed to ignite, the fear and disruption it caused were real—employees were afraid to return to work, business operations were delayed, and a sense of safety in Upton was shaken. The law does not measure harm only by what detonates, but by the danger created and the lives put in jeopardy,” said U.S. Attorney Darin Smith.

Riggle waived indictment and pleaded guilty on Nov. 12, 2025. Weston County Sheriff’s Office, Campbell County Sheriff’s Office, Wyoming Highway Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigate the crime. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paige Hammer prosecuted the case.

Case No. 25-CR-00149