On the Record

On the Record policy

It is the Thermopolis Independent Record’s policy that all people arrested or cited under the “Accidents,” “Sheriff’s office” or “Police department” in the On the Record section are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. We print the names of all people upon their initial arrest.

Sheriff’s Office

Monday, December 14

6:33 p.m. A vehicle slid off at Windy Point in the Wind River Canyon. There was no major damage. The driver called for a tow truck.

Wednesday, December 16

2:30 p.m. Report of an accident involving an 18-year-old juvenile male who was driving in the buffalo pasture and slid off the road on a curve. The windshield popped out because of improper installation. A tow truck was called out.

3:13 p.m. Report of trespassing where a dark-colored SUV went onto a property at Kirby Creek, drove up to a pipeline facility and spun cookies. The incident was caught on camera. Deputies are still looking for the vehicle. 

Thursday, December 17

4:47 p.m. Report of a potential drunk driver coming from Highway 20 South. A Ford Explorer was driving erratically in the Wind River Canyon and crossing the lane. The deputy made contact with the driver. Johan Nicklas Elisson, 47 of Riverton, was arrested for alleged driving while under the influence of alcohol, possession of a firearm while intoxicated, violating a stop sign, no proof insurance and a cracked windshield. 

Sunday, December 20

9:20 a.m. Report of a citizen assist where information was given to a subject about a custody dispute. A mother reported her daughter was having a custody dispute with a husband who was allegedly verbally abusive. 

8:56 p.m. Report of two missing persons who were overdue hunters hunting in the Rock Creek area. The subjects were an 18-year-old male and a 15-year-old male.

Multiple citizens, deputies and Search and Rescue went to the area. They ultimately located the subjects who had rolled their truck off a roadway and were not able to make a call due to no cell service at the location. The 18-year-old had a hand injury. They were brought off the mountain safe around midnight. 

Police Department

Monday, December 14

10:40 a.m. Report of property damage at a local business where a door was potentially kicked. They are pending video footage for an investigation.

11:03 a.m. Keipher Aaron Loos, 30, was arrested on a warrant out of Hot Springs County and for alleged use of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana.

12:17 p.m. Officers assisted Probation and Parole in the location of Keipher Aaron Loos’ drugs as an alleged probation violation.

1:27 p.m. An officer assisted emergency medical services in the transport of a patient to the hospital.

1:55 p.m. Report of fraud involving a “buy money to win money scheme”. Fraudsters ask people to purchase gift cards and call them back with the gift card numbers. The fraudsters immediately get money right off of it and take the money. According to the police department, there is no recourse for the victims, no way to track the scam, and there is no ability to recover lost funds.

Tuesday, December 15

3:47 p.m. A 68-year-old male was found deceased.

Wednesday, December 16

12:34 p.m. Report of an agency assist with Probation and Parole where Daniel Lee Ford, 34, was arrested for alleged use of a controlled substance, marijuana 

Friday, December 18

8:32 a.m. Terrance Benjamin Sani, 56, was arrested on an alleged probation violation, use of a controlled substance with marijuana and meth from a urinalysis.

12:02 p.m. Report of theft of miscellaneous items at a business. The matter is still under investigation, trying to identify the subject.

9:08 p.m. A 22-year-old male was found deceased.

Saturday, December 19

8:42 a.m. Mara Marie Chopping, 32, was arrested on an alleged violation of a protection order and a stalking charge.

3:29 p.m. Report of a dumpster fire caused by hot ashes being put in it.

Sunday, December 20

12:01 p.m. Report of an 18-year-old male cited for minor in possession.

1:50 p.m. Report of a wallet found. The owner returned to recover before the officer arrived.

Circuit Court

Rebecca K. Nelson, possession of a controlled substance, powder or crystal, three grams or less, one year jail, one year suspended, one year supervised probation, fees and fines $395 and use of a controlled substance, schedule I, II or III, six months jail, 173 days suspended, one year supervised probation, fees and fines $245.

Manuel Contreras, speeding too fast for conditions, fees and fines $240.

Taylor J. Monte, driving while under the influence of alcohol, 0.08% or more, 180 days jail, 176 days suspended, three years supervised probation, fees and fines $270, restitution, $11,606 and driving without a valid driver’s license, fees and fines $150, driving without compulsory auto insurance, first offense, fees and fines $570 and duty upon colliding with an unattended vehicle or property, first offense, fees and fines $250 and pedestrian under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance, fees and fines $200.

Divorces

Arica Borgen v. Jonathan Borgen, 12/18/2020

Marriage Licenses

Amy Lea Peden and Jason Arthur Krueger, 12/09/2020

Birth

Ada Metz was born Monday, December 7, 2020, at Hot Springs Health to Stephanie and Aaron Metz.

She weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces, and was 20 inches long.

Grandparents are Art and Kerry Czarobski and Steven Metz and Janice Hoxsey.