United States Attorney’s Office, Wyoming District Releases Recent Sentencings
Written by Press Release on September 13, 2023
The United States Attorney’s Office, Wyoming District has released their recent sentencings.
The United States Attorney’s Office is responsible for representing the federal government in virtually all litigation involving the United States in the District of Wyoming, including all criminal prosecutions for violations of federal law, civil lawsuits brought by or against the government, and actions to collect judgments and restitution on behalf of victims and taxpayers.
The sentencings are as follows:
Shawn Lee Gardner, age 24, of Riverton, Wyoming, was sentenced on September 1, 2023, to 34 months’ imprisonment for sexual abuse of a minor. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence which includes five years of supervised release following Gardner’s prison term, and approximately $832 in restitution. According to court documents, Gardner engaged in sex with a 12-year-old girl, whom he had met on Snap Chat. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kerry J. Jacobsen. Gardner was indicted by the federal grand jury in March and pled guilty in June, 2023.
Kevin Paul Johnson, age 48, of Casper, Wyoming, was sentenced on September 5, 2023, to 120 months’ imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence which includes five years of supervised release, after the prison term, and $500 community restitution. According to court documents, on December 28, 2022, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) searched Johnson’s residence and seized approximately 1.2 kilograms of methamphetamine and $2,152 in cash. Johnson was charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in May and pled guilty in June, 2023.
Christopher Willmer, age 50, of Casper, Wyoming, was sentenced on August 21, 2023, to 48 months’ imprisonment for possession with intent to distribution of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence which includes three years of supervised release. According to court documents, on December 29, 2022, Laramie County Sheriff’s Office deputies assisted Wyoming Probation and Parole with a search of a Cheyenne hotel room that was shared by Willmer and a woman on probation. During a pat down, Wilmer dropped multiple suspected fentanyl pills from his hand onto the floor. Deputies also located two bags of suspected fentanyl pills in Wilmer’s right sock. In total after the search of the hotel room was completed, deputies located approximately 500 fentanyl pills. Willmer was indicted by the federal grand jury in March and pled guilty in April, 2023. This crime was investigated by the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Forwood prosecuted the case.
Reggie Dale Nelams, age 45, of Louisiana, and Tawna Goodwin-McMurry, age 44, of Casper, Wyoming, were sentenced for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. Nelams was sentenced on September 1, 2023, to 57 months’ imprisonment and Goodwin-McMurry was sentenced on June 6, 2023, to 36 months’ imprisonment. Chief United States District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentences, each of which included four years of supervised release following imprisonment and $500 community restitution. According to court documents, in January 2021, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) learned that Nelams was distributing controlled substances in Natrona County. During the investigation, a traffic stop on Nelams’ vehicle resulted in the seizure of over 400 grams of methamphetamine and 120 grams of fentanyl. When interviewed, Nelams admitted to selling controlled substances in Natrona County and Riverton, Wyoming. A review of Nelams’ phone uncovered messages related to drug trafficking with Goodwin-McMurry and others. Agents also found a drug ledger documenting Goodwin-McMurry’s drug purchases from Nelams. Nelams and Goodwin-McMurry were indicted in January and each pled guilty in March 2023. This crime was investigated by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan C. Coppom prosecuted the case.
