Activity in the U.S. Attorney's Office

Drug Trafficking

Alyssa Bury, age 31, of Spearfish, South Dakota, was sentenced to 33 months’ imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence on Jan. 12. According to court documents, on Oct. 21, 2021, Cheyenne Police Department officers were dispatched to a welfare check for a female suspected to be on

narcotics. They found Bury hiding in the back of a black truck parked in an alleyway. The defendant was unable to describe how she arrived at that location. Another officer was dispatched to check out the defendant’s car. Upon searching the vehicle, officers discovered methamphetamine, a digital scale, several unused plastic baggies, and other controlled substances. The crime as investigated by the FBI, Cheyenne Police Department, and Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Z. Seth Griswold.

Sex Offenses

Louis Whiteplume, age 51, of Ethete, Wyoming, was sentenced to time served for failing to register as a sex offender. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence on Jan. 16. The defendant was required by a court order to register with the Wind River Sex Offender Registration & Notification Act office personnel as well as Wyoming Department of Criminal Investigation.  He failed to do so and was arrested on Jul. 21, 2023. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy W. Gist.

Illegal Re-entry of a Previously Deported Alien

Jorge Sanudo Zavala, age 43, of Sinaloa, Mexico, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for illegal re-entry of a previously deported alien into the United States. The defendant will be deported to Mexico upon his release. According to court documents, on Aug. 3, 2023, the defendant was arrested by the Wyoming Highway Patrol, in Johnson County, Wyoming, for speeding and not having a drivers license. The defendant claimed to be a citizen of Mexico. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement verified that Sanuda Zavala had been previously deported and was in the United States illegally. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Elmore. Senior U.S. District Court Judge Nancy D. Freudenthal imposed the sentence on Jan. 24.

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:

Environmental Justice
The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

Project Safe Childhood
Project Safe Childhood (PSC) is a DOJ initiative that combats the proliferation of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation crimes against children. The threat of sexual predators soliciting children for sexual contact is well-known and serious.

Project Safe Neighborhoods
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is a nationwide commitment to reducing gun and gang crime in America by networking existing local programs that target gun crime and providing these programs with additional tools necessary to be successful.

Victim Witness Assistance
The Victim Witness Coordinator for the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming is dedicated to making sure that victims of federal crimes and their family members are treated with compassion, fairness, and respect.

To report a federal crime, go to: https://www.justice.gov/actioncenter/report-crime#trafficking