Wyoming Meth Ring Takes Hit: Wickham Gets 19+ Years

CASPER, WY – Federal courts in Wyoming handed down stiff sentences this week to a half-dozen individuals involved in drug trafficking and horrific crimes against children. The cases, investigated by state and federal agencies, highlight the persistent struggle against narcotics and exploitation within the state.

Richard Lee Wickham, 46, of Casper, Wyoming, received the longest sentence: 235 months in federal prison. Judge Alan B. Johnson delivered the punishment on April 5, 2017, after Wickham was convicted of conspiracy to distribute at least 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine. Wickham will also serve five years of supervised release after his imprisonment, and must pay a $100.00 special assessment, along with $1,000.00 in restitution. The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration jointly investigated the case.

The drug-related convictions didn’t stop with Wickham. Dylan Tyler Carpenter, 24, formerly of Gillette, Wyoming, was sentenced to 140 months by Chief Federal District Court Judge Nancy D. Freudenthal on April 4, 2017. Carpenter was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and illegally possessing firearms during drug trafficking. He too will face five years of supervised release, plus a $200.00 special assessment and $400.00 in restitution. The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation handled this investigation. Roberto Jimenez Beltran, 50, of Casper, Wyoming, also faced methamphetamine charges, receiving 37 months imprisonment and three years supervised release on April 3, 2017, with a $100 assessment and $200 restitution. He was arrested in Torrington, Wyoming.

Beyond the drug trade, the courts dealt with sickening cases of child exploitation. Chad Thomas Johnson, 35, of Newcastle, Wyoming, was sentenced to 204 months in prison by Chief Federal District Court Judge Nancy D. Freudenthal on April 4, 2017, for the production of child pornography. He’ll also face ten years of supervised release, a $100 assessment, and a $1,700 fine. Restitution is pending. Charles Patrick Jeffery, 39, of Kinnear, Wyoming, received 40 months for possession of child pornography, sentenced April 3, 2017, by Judge Scott W. Skavdahl. Jeffery, arrested in Lander, Wyoming, will also serve ten years of supervised release, pay a $100 assessment, and $3,000 in restitution. The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the FBI led these investigations respectively.

Rounding out the week’s sentencings, Dustin Allyn Lee, 37, of Carpio, North Dakota, received 57 months for possession with intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine, sentenced April 3, 2017, by Judge Scott W. Skavdahl. He will also serve five years of supervised release, along with a $100 assessment and $500 in restitution. The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation investigated.

These cases represent a fraction of the ongoing criminal activity in Wyoming. Grimy Times will continue to follow these investigations and report on the individuals who prey on the vulnerable and flood our streets with dangerous substances. The full weight of the law is clearly being brought down, but the fight is far from over.

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