Activity in the U.S. Attorney's Office

Bankruptcy Fraud Scheme

Peter Szanto, 73, of Oceanside, California, was sentenced to time served (two days), three years of supervised release, a $7,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment for bankruptcy fraud scheme. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence on August 21. According to court documents, the defendant engaged in a nine-year scheme to defraud JPMorgan Chase by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations and promises, in order to hinder and obstruct the lawful foreclosure of his Newport Beach, California home, valued at approximately $4.5 million, through the repeated misuse of the U.S. bankruptcy courts, including the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Wyoming. Szanto was indicted in July 2023 and pleaded guilty on May 10. This crime was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Violent Crime

John Darwin Whiteman, 34, of Ethete, Wyoming, was sentenced to 57 month's imprisonment and ordered by the court to pay $5,301.40 in restitution and a $100 special assessment for assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm. According to court documents, he and a companion had been drinking when an argument ensued and turned violent. The victim's injuries consisted of significant bruising across the body, swollen eyes and lips; a broken tooth; a broken nose; a broken left orbital socket; red marks and bruising around the neck; a burn on the back; various lacerations; and human bite marks on the arm and leg. This crime was investigated by the FBI and the case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Elmore.

Child Sexual Assault Material

Kevin Snyder, 36, of Casper, Wyoming, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography with a life term of supervised release. The court ordered him to pay $12,000 in restitution and $200 in special assessments. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence on August 20. According to court documents, Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force was contacted by staff members at the Casper Re-Entry Center for an inmate who they believed was accessing child pornography on his phone. Their investigation concluded that he had downloaded approximately 2,600 files of child sexual assault materials involving lewd and lascivious acts, sadomasochism, and bestiality. This crime was investigated by the ICAC task force and the case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Z. Seth Griswold.

Failure to Register as a Sex Offender

Ben Murray, 58, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for failure to register as a sex offender. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence on August 12. According to court documents, on April 7, 2023, Aurora Police Department in Colorado issued an arrest warrant for Murray for failure to register. Wyoming Fugitive Task Force received information that Murray was residing in Cheyenne. Murray is an unregistered sex offender and has not registered in Wyoming or any other jurisdiction since February 2020. He waived indictment and pleaded guilty to an Information on May 14. This crime was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mackenzie Morrison.

Delray James Quiver, 46, of Riverton, Wyoming, was sentenced on Aug. 19, to 26 months in federal prison for failure to register as a sex offender. According to court documents, on Jan. 17, Quiver was released from custody and was required to register within three business days of his release from jail. The U.S. Marshal's office advised that as of March 5, Quiver had not registered or updated his registration anywhere in Wyoming or anywhere that reports to the federal sex offender database. He was indicted on March 13, and pleaded guilty on May 28. U.S. District Court Judge Kelly H. Rankin imposed the sentence in Cheyenne. This crime was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy W. Gist.

Illegal Re-entry of a Previously Deported Alien

Enrique Gomez-Salazar, 34, of San Luis, Potosi, Mexico, was sentenced to time served plus 10 days to allow for deportation proceedings, for illegal entry into the United States. According to court documents, on May 10, Gomez-Salazar was arrested by the Rawlins Police Department for driving while under the influence. He was booked into the Carbon County Jail. A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Deportation Officer processed the defendant and obtained his fingerprints. They matched pre-existing fingerprints in their database indicating he had previously been deported. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence on June 13.

Martin Avina-Gonzalez, 34, of Fresnillo, Zaxatecas, Mexico, was sentenced to 104 days in prison and then his deportation proceedings will begin, for illegal entry into the United States. According to court documents, on May 3, Avina-Gonzales was arrested by the Evanston Police Department for strangulation of a household member, domestic battery, stalking, and violation of a protection order. A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Deportation Officer processed the defendant and obtained his fingerprints. They matched pre-existing fingerprints in their database indicating he had previously been deported. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence on Aug. 21

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