THE SEARCH FOR IRENE: Colorado Search and Rescue Team joins Gillette Group to Find Missing Kenyan
The search for Irene Gakwa continued over the weekend, nearly a month after law enforcement officials conducted their second search of the house Gakwa shared with her fiancé, 39-year-old Nathan Hightman, to recover evidence related to the Kenyan's disappearance last winter.
Jackson Municipal Court Stops Publishing Names of Defendants Online
Every month, if you wanted to find out who had been convicted of driving under the influence, battery or other misdemeanors in Jackson Municipal Court, all you had to do was look it up online at the town council’s website, www.jacksonwy.gov.
Not anymore.
THE SEARCH FOR IRENE: Local Search Group Gathers to Hear Family Stories About Missing Gillette Woman
GILLETTE, Wyo.—The family is not sleeping, and all of their emotions are up in the air, Chris Munga told the group gathered at a local coffee shop in downtown Gillette. Munga’s sister, Irene Gakwa, 33, has been missing since late February.
THE SEARCH FOR IRENE: Fiancé of Missing Kenyan Granted Second Continuance in Irene Gakwa Case
GILLETTE, Wyo.—A Campbell County district judge granted a second continuance request by the fiancé of a missing Gillette woman who has been charged with five felonies related to crimes against her with a new pretrial conference scheduled for January.
Grieving Daughter Seeks Answers in Father’s Murder Two Decades Later
Lauren Moser was 4 years old when her father, Danny Moser, was killed. Today, on the 21st anniversary of his death and as the case remains under active investigation, the 25-year-old Casper mom and college student has only vague memories of him. But she has been told by family that she looks exactly like her father, right down to his distinct cleft chin, and walks and talks like him, too.
Number of Sex Trafficking Arrests in Wyoming Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story
A recent survey suggested that human trafficking is on the decline nationally, but experts warn that it is a largely unreported crime in Wyoming and beyond.
THE SEARCH FOR IRENE: Multiple Agencies Return for Second Search of the Fiancé’s Home of Missing Gillette Resident
GILLETTE, Wyo.—The Gillette Police Department and FBI staged an investigation at the house of the fiancé of the missing Gillette resident on Thursday morning after securing warrants to investigate evidence tied to the case.
Traffic Violations, DUIs and Public Intoxication Dominate Teton County Criminal Cases, Court Records Show
Over the course of a year, the Wyoming Truth gathered data on every criminal matter that passed through the courthouses in Jackson Hole, the world-renown tourist capital of the state, and the results show that Teton County is rife with minor offenses, led by traffic violations, DUIs and public intoxication.
Four Men Nabbed in Gillette Sex Trafficking Sting
GILLETTE, Wyo.—The first buyer is 15 minutes away. He’s driving from South Dakota to Gillette to ostensibly have sex with a 16-year-old girl who advertised on a social media site.
Pre-Trial Process for Lawsuit Against Troubled Teen Rehab Ranch Underway
A pre-trial process is underway for a class action lawsuit involving allegations of abuse, lack of proper hygiene and human trafficking against a troubled teen rehabilitation ranch in a rural town in northwest Wyoming.
Vast Number of Wyoming Judges Served as Prosecutors, Wyoming Truth Survey Shows
Nearly half—45%—of judges in Wyoming served as prosecutors before they took the bench, according to a Wyoming Truth survey and analysis of all 57 circuit, district and state supreme court judges in the state.
The Michael Lynch Case: What Really Happened?
FOUNTAIN, Colo.—Signs of life are everywhere. Michael Lynch’s white pickup truck squats by the curb, as if waiting to take him to work. His orange snow skis rest against the living room wall, ready for the next hurtle down the mountains. And his old German Shepherd, Vito, sits on his haunches, prepared for their next avalanche rescue.
Hearing Pending for Homeless Jackson Resident
JACKSON, Wyo.—Dennis Gross spent 278 days in jail—more than nine months—after being arrested last summer. His alleged crime: Lighting a fire and stopping firefighters from putting out the flames, according to police reports.
Hot Water for a Group of Teens and Young Adults Who Find Little Mercy
JACKSON, Wyo.—Packed in a Subaru Outback, they crossed the red bridge shimmering in Christmas lights under light snowfall. Then they turned left, hugging the edge of the craggy mountains in pitch black. And there it was: steam emanating from pools of water, defying the shuddering frost of winter.
State Lets Deadline Pass to Challenge Wyoming Supreme Court Ruling
The state attorney general has opted not to challenge a recent Wyoming Supreme Court ruling that found a traffic stop by a highway patrol officer was unreasonable and violated the constitutional rights of a passenger in a car traveling on an interstate in Cheyenne.
Jackson Police Chief Focuses on New Initiatives to Improve Police Force
Weber’s priorities are: sexual assault response; mental health for officers and other staff; recruiting; retention; training; and community engagement. All six initiatives involve working hand-in-hand with the community as a police force.
Governor Signs Bill Creating Wyoming Juvenile Justice Reporting System
The law gives the Wyoming Department of Family Services the responsibility to oversee juvenile justice data collection and gather certain information from various state and local government agencies.
ACLU Files Lawsuit Challenging 24/7 Sobriety Program in Teton County
The 24/7 program requires individuals charged with DUIs to get tested for substances twice daily every day while awaiting trial for alcohol and drug related arrests.
Senate Passes Bill Establishing Statewide Juvenile Justice Reporting System
Bill now heads to the governor’s desk .
House Passes Bill to Create Juvenile Justice Reporting System
Advocates: collecting data to shed light on Wyoming’s high youth incarceration rate.