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Drugs seized - A large amount of drugs and distribution paraphernalia were seized last week during the search of a truck and enclosed trailer.
During the search and seizure, Thermopolis Police Chief Pat Cornwell summoned Sgt. Michael Mascorro to the scene placing him on special assignment. Mascorro had previously been placed on administrative leave by the Town of Thermopolis while a third party reviews the TPD policies and procedures after an officer involved shooting.
Two people are facing several felony and misdemeanor drug charges after being contacted by Thermopolis Police Department (TPD) officers Devin "Dood" Jaussaud and Ryan Loving on Tuesday, Nov. 21 at approximately 9:07 p.m. Initial contact with subjects, Robert H. Hegenbart and Keeley R. Nelson Ross, was to investigate if they were camping within an enclosed trailer parked at the 8th Street Bridge "boat ramp" parking lot. Camping within town limits anywhere outside of designated campground properties is a violation of the Thermopolis Town Ordinance.
According to a press release issued by TPD, while making contact with Hegenbart and Ross regarding the Town Ordinance violation, officers determined Ross was a wanted person out of Converse County, Wyoming for failure to appear in court. Officers informed Ross of this arrest warrant and took her into custody. Hot Springs County Sheriff's Deputy Shayna Castillo arrived on scene to assist. During a search of Ross' person, a hidden Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) vape pen was located.
A subsequent Probable Cause (PC) search was conducted within Hegenbart's truck and enclosed trailer. During this PC search, officers located additional evidence of THC, along with forty-eight fentanyl pills and fentanyl powder. Hegenbart was arrested for possession of a controlled substance.
The TPD press release states "Due to the dangers involving powder fentanyl contamination, officers secured the area and requested assistance from police supervision. Chief Pat Cornwell responded to the scene. Due to Sergeant Mike Mascorro being a certified Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) and having extensive training and knowledge in controlled substances, Chief Cornwell placed Sgt. Mascorro on special assignment and summoned him to the scene. In the interest of officer safety, it was determined that Hegenbart's truck and trailer would be seized and secured, and a search warrant would be sought."
On Wednesday, Nov. 22, a search warrant for Hegenbart's truck and trailer was obtained. Two agents from the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrived in Thermopolis to assist the Thermopolis Police Department with this case. During the search of the truck and trailer, officers found approximately two thousand fentanyl pills, 87.53 grams of crystalline methamphetamine, 0.6 grams of liquid methamphetamine, 6.53 grams of powder cocaine, and 0.5 grams of liquid THC. Officers also located the following drug paraphernalia indicative of distribution: three digital weight scales with controlled substance residue, numerous small clear plastic baggies for repackaging, and a bundle of narcotic test strips.
Hegenbart and Ross were charged with four counts of felony possession of controlled substances, and five counts of misdemeanor possession of controlled substances. Each of their bonds has been set at $150,000 cash. Hegenbart and Ross are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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