Michael Langley, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Wyoming 2023

CHEYENNE, WY – Michael Langley, 26, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, is headed to federal prison after unloading a pistol at another vehicle last October. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl sentenced Langley to 51 months behind bars on May 2, 2023, for being a felon in possession of an illegal firearm.

The incident unfolded on October 10, 2022, when Langley, a passenger in a vehicle, opened fire on another car while driving through the streets of Cheyenne. He wasn’t just carrying the weapon; he was actively using it, turning a traffic dispute into a potentially deadly encounter. The gun itself was a semiautomatic pistol with its serial number deliberately scratched off – a clear attempt to evade law enforcement.

Langley’s criminal history made the situation even more dangerous. As a convicted felon, he was legally barred from owning or possessing any firearm. Ignoring that prohibition, he not only had the pistol but discharged it in a public place, risking the lives of those nearby. The investigation quickly revealed the gun’s obliterated serial number, compounding the charges.

Federal agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and officers from the Cheyenne Police Department teamed up to investigate the shooting. Evidence gathered at the scene and through subsequent interviews led to Langley’s arrest and eventual guilty plea to the charge of unlawfully possessing the pistol. The obliterated serial number also raised questions about the gun’s origins and potential involvement in other crimes.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan C. Coppom led the prosecution, securing the 51-month sentence. In addition to the prison term, Langley will also serve three years of supervised release upon his eventual release and will be required to pay a $100 special assessment. Case number 22-CR-00133-SWS will remain on record.

This case serves as a grim reminder that illegal firearms in the hands of convicted felons pose a serious threat to public safety. The ATF Denver Field Division continues to work with local law enforcement to crack down on gun violence and hold those who endanger our communities accountable. The streets of Cheyenne are a little safer with Langley off them, but the fight against illegal guns continues.

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