Wyoming News Briefs

Hageman declines to debate GreyBull

CHEYENNE (WNE) —Republican U.S. House of Representatives primary winner Harriet Hageman has declined an invitation to debate Democratic contender Lynnette GreyBull next month. 

WyomingPBS confirmed Monday that officials had provided two dates in October for Hageman to participate in the general election debate, and she declined both. 

For the first date, she said there was a scheduling conflict, and when given a second available date, Hageman said she would not participate at all. 

“Since announcing her candidacy, Harriet Hageman has traveled over 40,000 miles across Wyoming, held more than 200 events and spoken with thousands of voters. This is a much more effective way of communicating with Wyomingites, and it’s how she will continue,” her campaign responded in a statement. “We thank you for your invitation, but respectfully decline.” 

Democratic primary winner GreyBull said Hageman’s decision not to join her on the debate stage showed a lack of dedication to her role as a representative. 

She said it’s a tactic of the privileged class not to participate in debates and not to have an open dialogue about issues concerning Wyomingites. She said constituents deserve to hear Hageman’s plan for the state and compare them to the position GreyBull has on various issues. 

“I do hope she would consider changing her mind,” GreyBull said. 

WyomingPBS Senior Producer for Public Affairs Steve Peck told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle it was disappointing that Hageman was not going to take part, because the debates are a key component in educating constituents. 

He said WyomingPBS had been hosting the live statewide debates for many years, and noted that Hageman took part in the Republican primary debate earlier this year. 

Terrorist threats thwarted in Saratoga

SARATOGA (WNE) — A suspect was arrested for terrorist threats on Saturday morning in Saratoga. 

The suspect had been making threats for several weeks directed at law enforcement and the Saratoga Care Center. Statements had also been made by the suspect that if law enforcement came up to his house, “they’d better bring good ones.”

He also said that if they came into his house, they “wouldn’t like what they found.” 

The suspect had also threatened to go to the Saratoga Care Center with the intent to harm. There is a current no trespass order against the suspect barring him from the care center.

Chief Ken Lehr said Friday evening, when Sgt. Tyler Christen was dispatched to the house to confront the suspect about the threats, the suspect wouldn’t answer the door. 

Due to the possibility of a trap set for law enforcement, Christen did not try to enter the house using force. 

Saturday morning Lehr, accompanied by backup from the Wyoming Highway Patrol, was prepared to apprehend the suspect once he was out of the house. When the suspect exited his house, he entered his vehicle and drove about a block where he was quickly taken into custody by Wyoming Highway Patrol officers. 

An incendiary device was discovered inside the house. The Cheyenne Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) unit and Laramie Bomb Squad were on scene to diffuse the device without incident. 

The rest of the property was searched and secured. No further incendiary devices were discovered. 

However, Lehr did find an irate chicken on a saws-all in a shed. The chicken and his two friends have been placed into foster care. 

Lehr said that he believes the suspect intended to lure law enforcement to the door and then throw the explosive device through the cat door under the feet of the officers.

Man who sang ‘Bad Boys’ during chase and kidnapping sentenced to prison

GILLETTE (WNE) — A Gillette man who sang ‘Bad Boys’ during a car chase from police while his wife was kept in the car against her will was sentenced to up to 18 years in prison for kidnapping.

Robbie C. Muller, 33, was also sentenced on Aug. 23 to 10 to 12 years for strangulation of a household member and four to six years for felony meth possession, both of which will run concurrent to the kidnapping sentence, according to court documents.

Normally, a kidnapping charge carries a penalty of up to 20 years and strangulation of up to 10 years. But because Muller received a habitual criminal enhancement, the penalty for both kidnapping and strangulation was 10 to 50 years.

Officers got a call around 11:30 p.m. July 26, 2021 from a man who said that Muller’s wife called him saying, “He won’t let me out of the car! He just tried to kill me!” according to court documents.

The couple’s 2018 Hyundai Sonata was spotted near the Gurley Overpass, and officers tried making a traffic stop. Muller then took off at speeds of up to 65 mph, running a stop sign and veering into the BNSF railroad yard.

His wife later told police that he was singing the famous “Cops” anthem “Bad Boys” while fleeing officers, according to court documents.

The car eventually got stuck on the train tracks and Muller took off on foot. After a brief chase, he turned toward officers with his hands up and said, “Shoot me!” then, “Stop!” according to court documents. He then ran away again, until officers chased him down and detained him near the fire station.

Officers found his wife “hysterical” in the passenger seat of the Sonata. She said he choked her and that she thought he was going to kill her. 

She said when she tried calling her father, Muller took the phone. He went on to slam her head into the passenger window, then choked her.

Cody mayor passes declaration to honor U.S. Constitution

CODY (WNE) —  Cody Mayor Matt Hall declared Sept. 17-23 Constitution Week, describing the Constitution of the United States of America as “the guardian of our liberties.”

“It embodies the principles of limited government in a republic dedicated to rule by law,” Hall said as he read the proclamation at the Sept. 6 city council meeting.

This year marks the 235th anniversary of the framing of the Constitution by the Constitutional Convention. 

There is a law known as public law 915 that guarantees the issuing of a proclamation each year by the President of the United States designating Constitution Week.

According to the Daughters of the American Revolution organization, Constitution Week is celebrated each year in order to “commemorate [the Constitution’s] history, importance and bring attention to how it still serves us today.”

The U.S. Constitution, which created the government structure that continues to this day, was signed on Sept. 17, 1787.

The first three articles of the Constitution established the three branches of government and their powers: the legislative, executive and judicial branches.

The Bill of Rights was ratified on Dec. 15, 1791, which enshrined them in the U.S. Constitution.

The Bill of Rights sets forth the freedom of speech, freedom of the press and freedom of religion. It protects citizen’s right to keep and bear arms and protects them from unreasonable search and seizure by the government. There are protections for those accused of crimes, and it stated that people have other rights, even if not spelled out in the Bill of Rights. Finally, it gave powers not designated to the federal government to the states or to the people.

“It is fitting and proper to accord official recognition to this magnificent document and its memorable anniversary and to the patriotic celebrations which will commemorate it,” Hall said in the proclamation.

YNP West Thumb Geyser Basin temporarily closed 

POWELL (WNE) — A portion of the southern part of Yellowstone National Park was closed temporarily Monday due to hazardous conditions at a solar battery energy storage system at West Thumb Geyser Basin.

On Sept. 6, Northwestern Energy staff reported smoke coming out of a small building near the bookstore that houses a solar battery energy storage system at West Thumb Geyser Basin. 

Park structural fire crews were notified and dispatched to the location. They did not see flames when they arrived, but there was smoke. 

“Battery fumes are corrosive and hazardous when inhaled,” the park’s public affairs office said Monday. 

To ensure visitor and employee safety, West Thumb Geyser Basin closed until the batteries have fully discharged and fumes have dissipated from the area. The area was closed until further notice as of Monday afternoon and will continue to be monitored and evaluated by the park structural fire crew and the geyser basin will reopen when it is deemed safe.

Doctor life-flighted; partner charged with strangulation

PINEDALE (WNE) — A local doctor who manages the clinics’ emergency services was life-flighted to an Idaho Falls hospital on Aug. 31 after his spouse allegedly assaulted and strangled him during a domestic dispute. 

Stephen “Buck” Wallace, of Daniel, drove his truck at about 7 p.m. to a neighbor’s home where he got out and collapsed, asking someone to call a paramedic, according to an affidavit by Detective Travis Lanning. 

Law enforcement and Sublette EMS responded; Wallace said he had been knocked unconscious and strangled twice by his spouse, Nicholas A. Leyva, once with his knee and once with his arms. 

Wallace told detectives he went home early from work that day to talk to Leyva about a divorce, and while they were eating pizza in the living room, Leyva allegedly smashed Wallace’s phone and ran it under water. Leyva hit Wallace “with something on the back of the head or neck” and he fell to the floor unconscious, according to Lanning’s affidavit. 

While Wallace was on the floor, Leyva allegedly put his foot on his throat so he couldn’t breathe, it said. Leyva then allegedly wrapped his arms around Wallace’s neck until he lost consciousness, the affidavit said. Wallace made his way to the door and left to get help. 

Wallace was life-flighted by helicopter to the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center; he was discharged Sept. 3. 

On Sept. 2, Leyva was charged with aggravated assault and battery, strangulation of a household member by applying “foot to throat” and strangulation of a household member with “arms around neck,” according to court records. 

Leyva was arrested and on Aug. 5, he appeared before Circuit Court Judge Curt Haws, who set bond at $500,000 cash or surety. 

As of Thursday, Leyva remained in custody. His Circuit Court preliminary appearance is set for Tuesday, Sept. 13, at 2 p.m.

Bear spray standoff heads to jury trial

JACKSON (WNE) — A jury trial has been scheduled for Oct. 31 for Alvaro Mancia, who was arrested after a Sept. 14, 2021, standoff that began when police said he deployed bear spray on two officers responding to a domestic call. 

Mancia has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

He is charged with three felonies: two counts of interfering with a police officer and one of aggravated assault and battery. He has been in Teton County Jail since his arrest with his bail set at $50,000.

Police initially showed up at Mancia’s home to respond to a domestic disturbance. Upon their arrival, the then-24-year-old Jackson resident used bear spray on two officers and barricaded himself in the home, Jackson Police Lt. Russ Ruschill said.

The two officers who were sprayed quickly recovered and returned to the scene, Ruschill said, where a large show of force gathered during the three-hour standoff. The response included one ambulance, one fire truck, two Teton County Sheriff’s Office deputies, 10 police officers and three Wyoming Highway Patrol officers.

At about 7:05 p.m. that night, police entered the home after receiving a court-issued search warrant and apprehended Mancia without incident. 

Mancia already faced a two-day trial in April for charges stemming from an Oct. 27, 2021, incident at the jail.

Evidence at trial detailed how a detention officer was conducting a formal headcount on the evening of Oct. 27. Mancia testified that he obstructed the lock on his cell door so at 6:06 p.m. it wouldn’t lock after the officer confirmed his well-being. A video shows that when the officer closed the cell door and turned away, Mancia left his cell and sprinted at her while her back was turned.

The officer turned around and yelled at Mancia, who retreated to his cell. A jury found the 25-year-old guilty of interference wit

h a peace officer and escape from official detention.

18-year-old accused of pointing AR-15-style rifle at car full of people

GILLETTE (WNE) —An 18-year-old man has been accused of pointing an AR-15-style rifle at multiple passengers, including a 4-year-old boy, in a moving car.

Christen H. Best was charged Aug. 29 in Circuit Court with four counts of aggravated assault and battery. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Tuesday.

Best is accused of cutting off a car full of people, then pointing an AR-15-style rifle at the four people inside a blue Chevrolet while driving next to them.

The afternoon of Aug. 26, Gillette police officers responded to East 12th Street and Highway 59 where a 48-year-old woman reported that the driver of a silver Honda with a Georgia license plate, later identified as Best, cut off the vehicle she was a passenger in.

The Honda cut from the outside lane into the middle lane. When the 41-year-old man driving the Chevrolet switched into the outside lane in response, Best slowed his car down, rolled down his window and began yelling at the people inside, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

As the passengers in the car began rolling up the windows, Best allegedly raised a military-style rifle and pointed it toward the 48-year-old woman and her 4-year-old son in the backseat.

Best then put the gun down and drove away.

The Honda was found parked at an apartment complex in the area of Butler-Spaeth Road and 12th Street. People outside the building directed officers to an apartment where three men were found, including Best.

Best told officers he knew why they were there, referencing the incident, then unprompted, he denied pulling a gun, according to the affidavit.

He told officers that he cut off the blue Chevrolet and claimed he was in fear for his life when he was then driving side by side with the car and saw someone in the back seat “reaching.”

Officers were allowed to search the apartment and found the AR-15-style rifle. It had a loaded magazine and the top bullet had small dents and scrapes, indicating it had been chambered.

Man fires gun near mountain bike trail

CODY (WNE) — Cody man Christopher Nash Pugrad was arrested on Aug. 27 by the Park County Sheriff’s Office and charged with reckless endangerment and interference with a peace officer after repeatedly firing a weapon toward a mountain bike trail near his property on Reesy Road and charging several police officers who were attempting to arrest him.

Christopher’s brother, Robert Pugrad, was also arrested for interference with a peace officer during this incident.

On Aug. 27, deputy Andrew Palmer was called out to Pugrad’s property after receiving a weapons complaint from Park County Sheriff’s Deputy Tom Toohey, who observed someone shooting in an unsafe manner on a property near the Park County Sheriff’s Office shooting range, according to the affidavit.

Palmer said in his affidavit that when he arrived on Pugrad’s property, Pugrad was not cooperating, so Palmer pulled out his taser.

Robert Pugrad, Christopher’s brother, then arrived in his pickup truck and yelled at Palmer to get off the property.

“He was mad that I was pointing a taser at his brother,” said Palmer.

Christopher Pugrad stood up and came toward Palmer, causing him to radio for other units to respond.

Once three other officers were on the scene, Christopher rushed toward them before turning back toward Palmer. He then charged Palmer, causing Palmer to discharge his taser and strike Christopher, according to the affidavit.

Once officers got Christopher subdued, Palmer wrote in the affidavit that Robert was standing in front of his truck with a gun in his right hand. According to the affidavit, Robert yelled that he should have shot the deputy, referring to Palmer, in the back of the head. Toohey got Robert to drop the gun.

Robert Pugrad currently has a hearing scheduled for Sept. 26, according to Park County Circuit Court records. Christopher Pugrad posted a $10,000 bond on Aug. 29 and pleaded not guilty to both counts. A hearing for a jury trial is scheduled for Jan. 19, 2023.