Activity in the U.S. Attorney's Office Recent Sentencings

Mathew Christopher Jacoby, 58, of Cheyenne, was sentenced on October 15, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Scott W. Skavdahl to 100 months in federal prison followed by 4 years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to court documents, a Wyoming Highway Patrol Trooper pulled over Jacoby's silver Saab for driving 95 mph in a 75 mph zone. During the roadside investigation, the trooper noticed a suspicious, cylindrical package protruding from under Jacoby's right hip. When questioned, Jacoby insisted the object was simply a burrito. The trooper deployed a narcotics detection K-9, which gave a positive alert on the vehicle. A subsequent search revealed the concealed package contained 446 grams of methamphetamine, rather than food. Troopers also seized 14 grams of cocaine from the vehicle. The crime was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jesse Naiman following a joint investigation by the Wyoming Highway Patrol and the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation. Case No. 26-CR-00055.

Michael Scott Hopper, 59, of Nevada, was sentenced to 30 months' imprisonment with three years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of firearms. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case with substantial assistance from the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation and the Wyoming Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy W. Gist prosecuted the case. Michael Scott Hopper was indicted May 20 and pleaded guilty July 15. U.S. District Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence Sept. 18 in Cheyenne under Case No. 26-CR-00050-ABJ.

Le'Andray Steven Thompson, 33, of Phoenix, was sentenced to 27 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release for Bank Fraud. He was also ordered to pay $160,248.54 in restitution. Chief U.S. District Judge Kelly H. Rankin imposed the sentence on Oct. 7, 2026. According to court documents, on Jan. 9, 2023, Thompson traveled with others from Arizona to Wyoming where he opened a fictitious bank account at a financial institution in Casper, Wyoming, and falsely endorsed and deposited a stolen check into the account. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Fort Wayne, Indiana investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret Vierbuchen of the District of Wyoming prosecuted the crime, with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Dawn Ransom of the Northern District of Indiana. Case No. 26-CR-00073.

Dennison Jay Antelope, 35, of Riverton, was sentenced Tuesday to 21 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court records, a Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper initiated a traffic stop on a white Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck with an expired registration at about 10:43 p.m. Jan. 11. The vehicle was traveling south on North Smith Road outside Riverton. Antelope, who was riding as a passenger, was found to have an outstanding Fremont County arrest warrant. A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered drug paraphernalia in the driver's seat, a marijuana pipe on the floorboard where Antelope had been sitting, and a black Taurus 9mm pistol in a back-seat laundry basket located between the front seats. Antelope stated he'd found the firearm and was intending to sell it. Antelope is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a 2020 felony conviction for strangulation. The case was investigated by the Wyoming Highway Patrol, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy W. Gist prosecuted the case, and U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence in Cheyenne. Case No. 26-00054.

About the United States Attorney's Office

The United States Attorney's Office is responsible for representing the federal government in virtually all litigation involving the United States in the District of Wyoming, including all criminal prosecutions for violations of federal law, civil lawsuits brought by or against the government, and actions to collect judgments and restitution on behalf of victims and taxpayers. The Office is involved in several programs designed to make our communities safer. They include:

Operation Take Back America is a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. It also streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

White Collar and Corporate Enforcement Section plays a unique and essential role in the Department's fight against sophisticated economic crime and other forms of complex misconduct that endanger public health and safety. The Section investigates and prosecutes these complex cases throughout the country.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program that unites federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement with community leaders to target and reduce violent crime, with a primary focus on gun violence and gang activity.

Victim Witness Program for the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Wyoming is dedicated to ensuring victims of federal crimes and their family members are treated with compassion, fairness, and respect.