Harold Giberson, 63, of Rock Springs, Wyoming, was sentenced by Chief Federal District Court Judge Nancy D. Freudenthal on February 7, 2017, for theft of labor union funds. Giberson was the long time president of the Utility Workers Union of America Local 127. From 2011 through January 2015, he embezzled over $150,000 from the local union by using the union’s credit card for personal expenses and by claiming unauthorized travel reimbursements. Local union trustees discovered the embezzlement and Giberson resigned from the union in February 2015. Giberson, who is in poor health and appeared in court on oxygen, received five years of probation with the first six months in home confinement. Giberson was also ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment and $158,953.28 in restitution. Giberson is also prohibited by federal law from serving as a union official for 13 years. This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards.
Justin Jamar Smith, 27, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson on February 7, 2017, for interference with commerce by robbery. Smith was arrested in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He received 70 months of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment, a $300.00 fine and $844.00 in restitution. This case was investigated by the Cheyenne Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Hank Smith, 30, of Fort Washakie, Wyoming, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl on February 6, 2017, for child abuse. Smith was arrested in Fort Washakie, Wyoming. He received time served, to be followed by two years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment. Restitution in this matter will be determined at a later date. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Lisa Stewart, 49, of Hudson, Wyoming, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl on February 2, 2017, for assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Stewart was arrested in Fort Washakie, Wyoming. She received 48 months of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment and $73,590.33 in restitution. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Christopher Sean Koegl, 46, of Virginia, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl on February 1, 2017, for conspiracy to distribute heroin. Koegl was arrested in Richmond, Virginia. He received 120 months of imprisonment, to be followed by five years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment. This case was investigated by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Rocio S. Ortiz, 30, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl on February, 1, 2017, for being a felon in possession of firearms. Ortiz was arrested in Gillette, Wyoming. He received 57 months of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100.00. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.