Wayne Chester Lawton, Child Pornography Possession, WY 2017

WORLAND MAN GETS 70 MONTHS FOR CHILD PORN Wayne Chester Lawton, 69, of Worland, Wyoming, learned his fate on April 13, 2017, when Federal District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson sentenced him to 70 months in federal prison. Lawton, arrested in Casper, Wyoming, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography. The sentence isn’t just about bars; it’s about the damage inflicted on the victims depicted in those images. Following his imprisonment, Lawton will face five years of supervised release, and a $100.00 special assessment. Restitution amounts are still being calculated, but the true cost is immeasurable.

The investigation into Lawton’s depravity was a joint effort, highlighting the collaborative nature of tackling these horrific crimes. The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children unit, alongside the Washakie County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, painstakingly built the case that led to Lawton’s conviction. These investigators deserve recognition for their relentless pursuit of justice in the darkest corners of the internet.

BANKRUPTCY FRAUD LANDS LAS VEGAS MAN IN PRISON In a separate case, Robert M. Lane, 63, of Las Vegas, Nevada, received an 18-month sentence on April 11, 2017, for falsifying records in a bankruptcy proceeding. Judge Scott W. Skavdahl delivered the sentence after Lane was arrested in Ventura, California. Beyond the jail time, Lane will be under one year of supervised release and is responsible for a $100.00 special assessment and a $1,000.00 fine. White-collar crime may not involve physical violence, but it erodes trust and harms the financial stability of others.

RIVERTON ASSAULT LEADS TO 18 MONTHS Tristin Lane Burnett, 19, of Fort Washakie, Wyoming, was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, on April 11, 2017, for assault resulting in bodily injury. Judge Skavdahl handed down the sentence after Burnett’s arrest in Riverton, Wyoming. Burnett must also pay a $100.00 special assessment and a significant $34,849.87 in restitution to the victim(s). The FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated the case, demonstrating a focus on justice within tribal lands.

COLORADO MAN HIT WITH 48 MONTHS FOR IDENTITY THEFT Randy Miller, 35, of Fort Collins, Colorado, received a 48-month prison sentence on April 10, 2017, after being convicted of misuse of a social security number and aggravated identity theft. Chief Federal District Court Judge Nancy D. Freudenthal imposed the sentence. Miller, arrested in his hometown of Fort Collins, will also serve three years of supervised release and pay a $200.00 special assessment, along with $252.28 in restitution. The Cody Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service collaborated on the investigation, proving that identity theft is taken seriously at all levels of law enforcement.

These sentencings, while representing justice served in each individual case, are a stark reminder of the diverse criminal activity plaguing our communities. From the horrific exploitation of children to financial deceit and violent assault, the federal courts of Wyoming are working to hold offenders accountable. Grimy Times will continue to provide unwavering coverage of these cases, ensuring transparency and keeping the public informed.