Wyoming Highway Patol News Board

Cheyenne – Tests on a powdery substance contained inside a suspicious letter sent to the State Capitol yesterday addressed to Governor Dave Freudenthal have been completed. 
Concerns were raised that the letter received could contain some type of biological, chemical or radiological substance that could jeopardize human life. 
A chemical analysis by the Wyoming Department of Health has determined that the powder contained in the letter was corn starch.  
Troopers who perform security at the State Capitol knew to watch for any suspicious letters, as similar letters had been received by Governor’s offices in more than a dozen other states. 
Upon discovery of the letter Troopers turned the letter over to trained personnel from the Wyoming National Guard’s Civil Support Team (CST) for pre-screening. 

The contents of the letter have been turned over to the Cheyenne office of the FBI.  
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CHEYENNE – One of the goals of the Wyoming Highway Patrol is to maximize service to the public and we were successful in doing that today. 

 
A suspicious letter containing an unidentified white powder was intercepted by Troopers at the Wyoming State Capitol this morning. 
Wyoming Highway Patrol officers who perform security at the State Capitol knew to watch for the letter, as similar letters have been received by Governor’s offices in about a dozen other states. 
The standard-sized letter was addressed to Gov. Dave Freudenthal and was seized before being opened by any staff members.  
The Wyoming Highway Patrol has received assistance from the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security, the Cheyenne office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Wyoming National Guard’s Civil Support Team (CST).  At this time, the letter has been turned over to the CST for pre-screening. 
The CST supports local law enforcement by identifying agents or substances with sophisticated mobile instruments and test equipment. 
Upon completion of the pre-screening process, the letter will be taken to the Wyoming Department of Health for a final analysis. 
The official status of operations at the State Capitol is normal.  There was no interruption of State government or to business at any offices located within the Capitol.  
The letter had been mailed from Texas.  This situation remains under investigation at this time.  
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Rawlins – A crash of a tractor trailer tanker hauling a hazardous load of propane necessitates the closure of Interstate 80 between Rock Springs and Rawlins.  The tractor trailer combination is currently in the median at mile post #184 which is 3 miles west of the Creston Junction Interchange or approximately 28 miles west of Rawlins. 

At this time Troopers are on scene and have confirmed at least one fatality believed to be the driver of the tractor trailer combination. 

The tractor trailer tanker first jackknifed on the roadway and then rolled as it went into the median.  The tanker is leaking propane and the load of propane will need to be off loaded before the tractor trailer combination can be up righted and towed away from the scene. 

For safety reasons, Troopers have closed Interstate 80.  This road closure will be for an unknown duration of time.  We ask that motorists be patient as there is no detour around the crash site. 

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Glenrock – A single vehicle crash on Interstate 25 has closed both north and southbound lanes of the Interstate at Glenrock between mile marker number 160 and mile marker 165. 

At approximately 12:00 p.m. this afternoon a tractor trailer tanker combination hauling a load of approximately 12,547 gallons of butane crashed and subsequently caught fire.  While Patrol personnel were on scene a massive explosion of the butane resulted.  All patrol personnel that were on scene have been accounted for at this time. 

All Interstate 25 traffic is being re-routed off the Interstate at the Glenrock interchanges onto US 20/26. 

Northbound traffic is being detoured off I-25 at the Glenrock Interchange at mile
post #161. All southbound traffic is being detoured off the Interstate at the Hat
Six Interchange just south of Casper.
The truck trailer combination operated by PC Transport out of Casper, is a total
loss. The truck driver, 77 year-old Paul Prime, was assisted out of the tractor by
passing motorists immediately after the crash. Prime, who was wearing his seat
belt, was not injured. The load of butane was en-route from Casper, Wyoming
with a final destination in Douglas, Wyoming.
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Gillette – Approximately 167 pounds of marijuana were seized by Wyoming Highway Patrol Troopers on Friday, November 14th during a traffic stop.    Troopers in Campbell County intercepted the 24 foot rental moving truck with the marijuana hidden behind a false wall at the front of the trucks van compartment. 

This case is somewhat similar to a 24 foot rental truck stopped just down the highway on Interstate 90 in Crook County on August 21st of this year.  In that particular stop, Troopers seized 195 pounds of marijuana hidden in wooden crates.  That rental truck was also eastbound and just like this one had originated from the State of Washington. 

This most recent traffic stop was also made on eastbound Interstate 90 approximately 6 miles east of Gillette just before 11:00 a.m.  The rental truck was observed weaving and the driver was unable to maintain the vehicle within a single lane of travel. 

When contacted by the Trooper the 40 year-old driver, Fransisco O. Castillo from Pasco, Washington, produced a forged passport document from Mexico and also did not have a driver’s license.  Castillo was unsure of the route of his trip which made the Trooper even more curious.  The Trooper requested a drug canine from the Campbell County Sheriff’s Department. 

Upon deploying, the canine indicated the odor of drugs coming from the cargo area of the truck.  Troopers opened the rear truck door and noticed some household furnishings inside.  Upon closer inspection they determined the inside cargo area of the truck was shorter than the outside. 

They determined that a false wall had been built into the front of the truck on the inside.  Upon removal of the false wall Troopers seized 158 sealed bags of high grade marijuana with a weight of just over 167 pounds.  The high grade marijuana has a street value of approximately $420,000.00. 

Troopers and Special Agents with the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation continue to pursue leads in this case and the case remains under investigation at this time.  Castillo was enroute from the State of Washington and just like the traffic stop made on the rental truck in August, it is believed his final destination for the delivery of the marijuana was the Chicago, Illinois area. 

Castillo remains in custody and is facing a felony charge of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

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Cheyenne – Beginning on Wednesday, November 26th, the Wyoming Highway Patrol will be participating in a nationwide campaign recognized as “Operation CARE”.  The enforcement reporting period for this campaign will run through Sunday, November 30th, ending at midnight.  
“Operation C.A.R.E.” stands for ‘Combined Accident Reduction Effort’.  The participating state law enforcement agencies in the United States and Canadian Provinces will conduct strict traffic enforcement upon the roadways to obtain voluntary compliance in the area of alcohol and drug-related driving offenses, maximum speed limit laws, promotion and enforcement of safety belt statutes and to reduce motor vehicle accidents through the enforcement of other accident-causing violations.
Locally, Wyoming Highway Patrol Troopers from Division ‘B’, Casper, will join other Natrona County law enforcement, fire department, business and organization representatives at a press conference which will be held at the T-Bird Gym Parking Lot at Casper College in Casper, Wyoming.  The press conference will be kicking off the 10th anniversary of the local “You Drink & Drive.  You Lose.” holiday season campaign in central Wyoming.  The press conference is scheduled to begin at noon on Tuesday, November 25th.
Troopers statewide will be available to supply public service announcements to their respective local media outlets upon request. 
Motorists are encouraged to participate in Operation CARE by buckling up, obeying the traffic laws and reporting flagrant traffic violations.  Motorists are also encouraged to participate in the “Drunk Driving.  Over the Limit.  Under Arrest” enforcement crackdown.  They may call to report a suspected drunk driver by calling a toll free number which will be answered by a Wyoming Highway Patrol Dispatcher 24 hours a day.  The REDDI (Report Every Drunk Driver Immediately) toll free number is 800-442-9090.
Last year during the 2007 Thanksgiving Holiday period Wyoming Highway Patrol Troopers investigated two separate fatal crashes with two fatalities.

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Rock Springs – A single vehicle crash on Interstate 80 has closed both east and westbound lanes of the Interstate at Rock Springs between mile marker number 99 and mile marker 102. 

At approximately 4:20 a.m. this morning the single vehicle went off the Interstate near the KOA Campground and struck a 16 inch natural gas line causing severe damage to the gas line.  A major rupture of the line at the crash site has caused the closure of all lanes of travel in that area for safety reasons. 

A spokesperson for Questar has advised that tools needed to work on such a large feeder line to shut the line completely would have to come from Salt Lake.  This particular gas line is the main feeder line for the Rock Springs area.  Therefore, the road will be closed for an indefinite period of time. 

Extra Troopers have been called out to assist with traffic control on the Interstate.  At this time, all Interstate traffic is being re-routed at exit 99 where motorists will take the belt loop to WYO 376. 

Our goal is to provide a safe environment for the motoring public, fire, law enforcement and Questar employees.  We regret any inconvenience this event may have caused the motoring public and we are doing our best to re-route traffic safely. 

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UPDATE

Rock Springs – A single vehicle crash on the Interstate 80 service road that had closed both east and westbound lanes of the Interstate at Rock Springs between mile marker number 99 and mile marker 102 has been investigated and the roadway opened and returned to normal traffic.  

At approximately 4:20 a.m. this morning the single vehicle went off the Interstate near the KOA Campground and struck a natural gas line valve assembly damaging a 4 inch pipe which is fed by the 16 inch main gas line.  Leaking natural gas caused officials to close both east and west bound lanes of Interstate 80 as well as the frontage road for safety reasons. 

Twenty year-old Christopher Greub, driver of the single vehicle that crashed into the valve assembly, was transported to Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County where he was treated and released.  Greub has been cited with driving while under the influence and failure to maintain his vehicle within a single lane.  Greub was eastbound on the frontage road attempting to negotiate a curve in the roadway when he lost control of his vehicle and it left the roadway.  His vehicle rolled and struck the valve assembly. 

Extra Troopers were called out to assist in re-routing traffic around and through the Rock Springs area.  Troopers were assisted with traffic control by the Rock Springs Police Department, Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Department, Sweetwater County Search & Rescue, WYDOT personnel and Questar Gas personnel. 

There were no additional injuries reported and no additional traffic problems associated with the detour of the traffic.  Interstate 80 and the frontage road re-opened at approximately 10:00 a.m. 

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Cheyenne – The Wyoming Highway Patrol’s K-9 officers and their partners are increasingly valuable in the battle against narcotics use. They are particularly helpful in locating easily concealed drugs that are being transported across Wyoming’s highways.

The Wyoming Highway Patrol’s newest member, Bonnie, has been involved in two felony drug cases this week.  Her biggest find of the week has been the seizure of just over 22 pounds of high grade marijuana on Tuesday.

Bonnie, a two year-old black lab, has been with the Wyoming Highway Patrol for approximately three weeks.  She and her Highway Patrol K-9 handler have together successfully completed 80 hours of dog handler training. 

Bonnie’s extensive training has certified her and her partner in the area of narcotics detection for marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamine, ecstasy and their street derivatives.

Bonnie’s call out on Tuesday was to assist a Trooper on eastbound Interstate 80 when he requested a narcotics K-9 at a traffic stop made just before 9:00 a.m. approximately 30 miles east of Cheyenne.  Upon her arrival Bonnie alerted at the trunk area of the 2006 Chrysler convertible.

Troopers opened the trunk and discovered two black duffle bags which were packed with plastic bags stuffed with high grade marijuana.  The driver of the Chrysler, 28 year-old Matthew R. Frazier from Knoxville, Tennessee, has been arrested and charged with felony possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. 

The street value of the high grade marijuana seized is approximately $57,800.00. 
On Monday Bonnie assisted Troopers at a traffic stop on US 287 seven miles south of Laramie.  Seized during that traffic stop was a felony amount of pharmaceutical tablets and a misdemeanor amount of marijuana.  The driver and passenger in the vehicle, both from Hayden, Colorado, have been arrested and charged with felony possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
 
Currently, these new narcotics trafficking cases remain under investigation.  Troopers along with Special Agents from the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation will be conducting follow-up investigations in an attempt to determine where the illegal narcotics contraband originated and were eventually destined. 

Bonnie joins a team of 7 additional Wyoming Highway Patrol K-9’s that are deployed in various locations throughout the State. 

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Elk Mountain – The largest seizure of heroin in recent history, possibly ever by the Wyoming Highway Patrol was made on Interstate 80 on Friday, August 26th.  Approximately 11.3 pounds of heroin in powder form, known as “China White” because of its pure white color, was seized during a traffic stop 2 miles east of Elk Mountain in the early afternoon. 

The eastbound 2005 Nissan Altima was stopped by a Trooper for speeding 85 mph in a 75 mph zone.  During the traffic contact, the Trooper’s K-9 alerted to the presence of the odor of illegal drugs. 

Troopers searched the vehicle and found a secret hidden compartment between the back seat and the trunk area of the vehicle.  The compartment was designed to be opened electronically via a hidden switch.

The driver of the Altima, 32 year-old Sergei P. Ludwig has been arrested and charged with felony possession of a controlled substance.  Ludwig is from Elizabeth, New Jersey. 

Street value of the illegal drug is dependent upon the amount that the heroin is diluted and the production method.  White heroin is generally considered the most refined and most potent.  Due to the purity of this particular load of “China White” heroin it is estimated that the street value, at a minimum, is approximately $10,000,000.00 and could be worth substantially more. 

As is standard practice in drug cases of this magnitude, the Wyoming Highway Patrol requested assistance from Special Agents with the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation.  Special Agents from DCI’s Southwest Enforcement Team continue to investigate this drug trafficking case.  It is believed that the load originated in the State of California and was destined for an unknown location in the State New Jersey. 

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Rawlins – A missing juvenile runaway has been located, a stolen car recovered and a 23 year-old man from Duluth, Minnesota is in custody in Carbon County after a traffic stop on Tuesday afternoon.

Shawn M. Bratsch was stopped by a Trooper approximately 9 miles north of Rawlins on southbound US 287 after the vehicle he was operating reportedly drove away from the Muddy Gap Service Station without paying for fuel.  Bratsch allegedly pulled into the service station, pumped fuel into the 1999 Oldsmobile 4-door and then drove away.

Troopers in the area were alerted by Wyoming Highway Patrol Dispatchers to be on the lookout for the southbound vehicle and were given the vehicle description. 
During the traffic stop it was determined that the vehicle Bratsch was operating was a stolen vehicle reported stolen by its owner to law enforcement authorities in St. Cloud, Minnesota.  A 16 year-old female passenger in the vehicle was reported as a runaway by the Stearns County Sheriff’s Department which is also in St. Cloud.  Apparently, the female was with Bratsch of her own free will.

Bratsch and the runaway told Troopers they were on their way to the State of California. 

The female runaway has been turned over to the Department of Family Services in Carbon County so that she may be reunited with her parents.  Bratsch has been charged with possession of stolen property, larceny of fuel and possession of a controlled substance (user amount of marijuana). 

At this time it is unknown if any charges are outstanding from the Stearns County Sheriff’s Department on Bratsch. 

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