Wyoming Highway Patol News Board

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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Gillette – The years seizures of marijuana by the Wyoming Highway Patrol just increased by approximately 195 pounds Wednesday during a traffic stop on Interstate 90 in Crook County.

A traffic stop on an eastbound 14 foot U-haul rental truck was made approximately 22 miles east of Gillette just after 8:00 p.m.  The traffic stop was made on the truck because of an obscured license plate and because the driver was unable to maintain the vehicle within a single lane of traffic. 

During the stop the Trooper discovered that the operator of the U-haul, 46 year-old Jose C. Torres from Sunnyside, Washington, had an outstanding warrant from the State of New Mexico.  New Mexico law enforcement authorities, however, would not extradite Torres from Wyoming. 

A subsequent search of the cargo compartment of Torres’s rental truck revealed that he was only hauling 3 old couches, an old dryer and three spare tires.  He did not know however, what was in three large homemade solid wooden crates.  The three crates were fashioned out of plywood. 

The contents of the crates revealed individually packaged plastic bags containing approximately 1 pound each of high grade marijuana.  A total of 195 bags were found in the three crates.  The street value of the high grade marijuana is approximately $487,500.00.  Troopers also seized $840.00 in cash which is believed to be proceeds from criminal activity. 

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.  Torres was enroute from the State of Washington and it is believed at this time that his final destination for the delivery of the marijuana was the Chicago, Illinois area. 

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

This seizure is the Patrol’s largest seizure of marijuana this year during 2008. 
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Cheyenne – According to the National Safety Council, the average number of traffic fatalities during the six most recent Labor Day holiday periods was 13.4% higher than similar non-holiday periods.

This Labor Day Holiday the Wyoming Highway Patrol will be working with other law enforcement agencies nationwide performing highly visible enforcement operations during the Operation C.AR.E. period which begins Friday, August 29th, and will continue through Monday, September 1st.

“Operation C.A.R.E.” (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) is about State Law Enforcement Agencies who have joined together in the endeavor of reducing human suffering on our highways, particularly during the national holidays.  

Communities across Wyoming look to the Wyoming Highway Patrol for leadership in making their roadways safer.  Therefore, Troopers across the State are formalizing strategic plans in their areas of operation to reduce the number of fatalities during this holiday period and to educate the public about the consequences of driving while under the influence, seat belt use and excessive speed. 

“Operation C.A.R.E.” strives to accomplish its objectives through the high visibility of patrols on designated C.A.R.E. highways during holiday periods.  This year during the Labor Day Holiday ALL Wyoming highways have been designated as the C.A.R.E. highway. 

Additional Troopers and Staff will be out patrolling working extra hours during the holiday period.  These extra personnel may work additional hours during either a day or night shift. The funding to pay for the extra hours worked have been secured for the Highway Patrol by WYDOT’s Highway Safety Program and will come from a Federal Highway 402 Safety grant.

Last year Wyoming Troopers investigated 53 of the reported 120 crashes investigated by Wyoming law enforcement agencies statewide during the 2007 Labor Day Holiday weekend.  Two of those 53 crashes resulted in one fatality in each crash.  Troopers also made 39 arrests for impaired driving and cited 122 drivers and passengers for not wearing occupant restraints.

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Cheyenne – A fugitive wanted by the Lancaster County Metro Area Fugitive Task Force in Lincoln, Nebraska, who led Troopers on a foot chase across a highway and through two business establishments remains in custody in Laramie County awaiting extradition back to the State of Nebraska.

On Friday, the Lancaster County Metro Area Fugitive Task Force, comprised of deputies from the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department and deputies from the United States Marshals Service requested assistance from the Wyoming Highway Patrol in locating a fugitive in the Cheyenne area.

The task force developed information that confirmed 45 year-old Shekem A. Khnemu was in the Cheyenne area and might be in the company of his girl friend, 20 year-old Carly K. Hoyt.  The pair would possibly be operating a 1980 Chevrolet Caprice bearing Nebraska registration tags. 

Khnemu was wanted on outstanding felony warrants for failing to register as a sexual offender, providing false information and being a habitual criminal offender in the State of Nebraska.  There were no warrants for Hoyt. 

The vehicle and occupant description was relayed to Troopers in the Cheyenne area at approximately 10:15 a.m.  Approximately 5 minutes later a Trooper patrolling near the junction of Interstate 25 and WYO 212 noticed a vehicle and occupants matching the description of the bolo pulling into the parking lot of the McDonalds at that interchange.  The vehicle however had Iowa registration tags displayed on it. 

Upon seeing the Trooper vehicle approach them, Khnemu, seated on the front passenger side of the vehicle, quickly exited the vehicle and began running in an attempt to evade capture.  Khnemu ran across WYO 212 and into the Flying J Truck Plaza.  Additional Troopers arrived at the rear of the building in time to see Khnemu run out the back of the building.  Khnemu attempted to hide among the parked truck tractors as he ran through the south truck parking lot. 

With Troopers close behind, Khnemu ran across the south parking lot and through the open bay doors of Ridge Equipment and Truck Repair on Etchepare Drive.   Khnemu was attempting to hide inside when Troopers entered the building and took him into custody.  At this point as he was being taken into custody Khnemu offered no further resistance.

Hoyt was cited for driving while under suspension and was released after posting a $210.00 bond.  Khnemu had removed the Nebraska registration tags on the vehicle and had replaced them with the Iowa tags which did not belong on the vehicle they were driving. 
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Cheyenne – The Wyoming Highway Patrol will be hosting a public open house event to celebrate the Wyoming Highway Patrol’s 75th anniversary.  The public is encouraged to attend this event which will be held in the afternoon of August 21 between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. and will be at the Wyoming Highway Patrol Headquarters building in Cheyenne, 5300 Bishop Boulevard. 

What makes this event even more appealing, is that it is free!  There will be various exhibits and displays to help visitors learn the varied duties and aspects of what it was like and currently is like to be a member of the Wyoming Highway Patrol.  On display will be the restored 1954 WHP Buick which will be parked and on display with other current Patrol vehicles and equipment. 

The open house will provide the public an opportunity to visit with Wyoming Highway Patrol Staff and Troopers.  It will provide the media with interview and photo opportunities. 

In addition, there have been some old photos, uniforms and equipment on display at the Wyoming State Museum beginning on July 1st.  These items will remain on display after the open house and will be at the museum for viewing. 

For more information about the Wyoming Highway Patrol or the open house event you may call the Wyoming Highway Patrol at 777-4301. 
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Evanston – A 17 year-old juvenile from Sun City, California, remains in custody after the vehicle he was operating was stopped on Interstate 80 near Evanston and approximately 105 pounds of marijuana was discovered packed inside. 

The eastbound 2001 Toyota Tundra pickup was stopped for speeding and lane use violations just outside of Evanston on Sunday after 1:00 p.m.  The juvenile was warned on those violations but it was discovered he was operating the vehicle with suspended registration tags from the State of California. 

A search of the vehicle turned up the marijuana loaded in garbage bags in the bed of the pickup under the tonneau cover.  In the garbage bags were the 105 marijuana packages in approximately 1 pound plastic baggies. 

In addition to the marijuana the pickup was also seized.  The owner of the pickup was not present when it was stopped and Troopers have not been able to locate the registered owner. 

Special Agents with the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation are assisting the Wyoming Highway Patrol in the investigation.  Agents and Troopers believe the marijuana was enroute from California with a final destination to an as of yet unknown location in Denver, Colorado.  The case remains under investigation.

The juvenile has also been charged with a felony charge of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. 
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Rawlins – A Wyoming Highway Patrol K-9 alerted on a vehicle that had been stopped for a speeding violation yesterday.  The vehicle had been stopped by a Trooper for speeding 80 mph in a 75 mph zone on eastbound Interstate 80 approximately 10 miles east of Rawlins just before 8:00 p.m. 

The vehicle’s owner and driver 22 year-old Matthew R. Madden, from Mukwonago, Wisconsin, has been arrested and faces charges of felony possession of a controlled substance. 

The vehicle that Madden was driving was a 1999 Honda Accord.  After the K-9 alerted Troopers searched the vehicle and the marijuana was located in the vehicles trunk.  It had been packaged in heat sealed plastic food saver bags which had been put in an Igloo type cooler. 

The Wyoming Highway Patrol has requested assistance from Special Agents with the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation.  Troopers and Special Agents with DCI’s Southeast Enforcement Team continue to investigate this case.

It is believed that Madden picked up his illegal load of marijuana in northern California and that he was headed back to the Mukwonago, Wisconsin area.

Madden was issued a warning for the speeding violation and was cited for failure to maintain liability insurance. 

The 14 pounds of marijuana has a street value of approximately  $21,000.00 had it been sold on the streets. 

Madden is expected to make initial appearances either today or tomorrow in U.S. District Court in Rawlins.
Conviction on the felony possession charge carries a maximum 10-year sentence in federal prison.
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