Activity in the U.S. Attorney's Office

Drug and Firearm Offenses

Ryan Jase Harkins, age 42, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, was sentenced on July 6, 2023, to 71 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence, which included three years of supervised release, $500 community restitution, and a $200 special assessment.

According to court documents, on October 21, 2022, Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) executed a search warrant for a camera system at Harkins’ residence in Casper, Wyoming, where he lived with his minor children. During the search, agents saw illegal drugs in plain view and applied for and received a second search warrant for drugs. Agents then found fentanyl, methamphetamine, Harkins’ state ID, and a firearm in a safe in Harkins’ bedroom.

This crime was investigated by DCI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan C. Coppom.

Drug Trafficking

Co-conspirators George Daniel Nitchman, age 50, of Worland, Wyoming, Jeffrey Johnson, age 33, Michael Shae Kelli, age 23, both of Sheridan, Wyoming, and Joseph Raymond Stone, age 44 of Porterville, California, were recently sentenced for their roles in a drug trafficking ring. A fifth co-conspirator, Anthony Rodriguez, age 51, of Porterville, California, is scheduled to be sentenced on September 1, 2023.

According to court documents, Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) agents were briefed on an influx of methamphetamine being distributed in the Lovell, Wyoming area in October of 2021. After conducting interviews with known and unknown drug distributors in the area, and executing search warrants obtained from Wyoming state courts, agents were able to identify key players distributing methamphetamine in and around Lovell. The methamphetamine was transported from California to Wyoming via rental cars, a Greyhound bus, and through the U.S. Postal Service.

Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the following sentences:

• George Nitchman received 110 months’ imprisonment with four years of supervised release, $500 for community restitution, and a $100 special assessment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

• Jeffrey Johnson received 110 months’ imprisonment with five years of supervised release, $500 for community restitution, and a $100 special assessment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

• Michael Kelli received 70 months’ imprisonment with five years of supervised release, $500 for community restitution, and a $100 special assessment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

• Joseph Stone received 95 months’ imprisonment with three years of supervised release, $400 for community restitution, and a $100 special assessment for distribution of methamphetamine.

This crime was investigated by DCI, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys T.J. Forwood and Michael Elmore.

Fugitive/Failure to Register Crimes

Leonard Dale Van Dam, age 73, of Green River, Wyoming, was sentenced on July 12, 2023, to 30 months’ imprisonment with three years of supervised release and a $200 special assessment for escape from custody and for possession with intent to distribute heroin. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence. This crime was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Z. Seth Griswold.

Randolph Paul Duran, Jr. age 34, of Casper, Wyoming, was sentenced on July 13, 2023, to 24 months’ imprisonment with five years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment for failure to register as a sex offender. U.S. District Court Judge Nancy D. Freudenthal imposed the sentence which will run consecutive to the sentence she imposed in case number 20-CR-184-F. In that case, the court imposed 6 months’ imprisonment for violation of supervised release terms. This crime was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Gist.

Delray Quiver, age 45, of Lander, Wyoming, was sentenced on July 13, 2023, to 12 months and 1 day in prison for failure to register as a sex offender. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence which includes five years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. This crime was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Gist.

About the United States Attorney’s Office

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 Office is involved in several programs designed to make our communities safer. They include:

Environmental Justice
The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

Project Safe Childhood
Project Safe Childhood (PSC) is a DOJ initiative that combats the proliferation of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation crimes against children. The threat of sexual predators soliciting children for sexual contact is well-known and serious.

Project Safe Neighborhoods
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is a nationwide commitment to reducing gun and gang crime in America by networking existing local programs that target gun crime and providing these programs with additional tools necessary to be successful.

Victim Witness Assistance
The Victim Witness Coordinator for the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming is dedicated to making sure that victims of federal crimes and their family members are treated with compassion, fairness, and respect.

To report a federal crime, go to: https://www.justice.gov/actioncenter/report-crime#trafficking