Federal Judges Sentence Four

Federal judges sentenced four men recently for crimes involving drugs and firearms, according to a news release from the Wyoming U.S. Attorney's Office.

Wade Earl Schear, 32, of Cheyenne was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Nancy D. Freudenthal on Wednesday for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. He received five years imprisonment, to be followed by four years of probation, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation investigated this case.

Freudenthal also sentenced  Michael T. Johnson, 56, of Arizona on Monday for conspiracy to distribute at least 500 grams of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. Johnson received 16 years, two months imprisonment, to be followed by five years of probation.. Freudenthal also ordered him to pay a $900 fine and a $100 special assessment.

This case results from an ongoing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) joint investigation conducted by the Cheyenne Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.

Kevin James Simms, 28, of Casper, Wyoming, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl on July 24 for being a felon in possession of a firearm. He received three-and-a-half years imprisonment, to be followed by three years of probation. Skavdahl also ordered him to pay a $200 fine and a $100 special assessment. This case was investigated by the DCI and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Skavdahl also sentenced  Paul Medina Valdez, 26, of Mexico on July 22 for conspiracy to distribute at least 500 grams of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. Valdez was arrested in Phoenix, Ariz. He received five years, three months imprisonment, to be followed by three years of probation. Skavdahl also ordered him to pay a $100 special assessment. Valdez is subject to deportation upon release from custody. The OCDETF investigated this case.