Activity in the U.S. Attorney's Office

Child Pornography

Robert Loren Blanton, 38, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence on June 18. The defendant pleaded guilty on Mar. 20. This crime was investigated by the FBI, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christyne M. Martens.

Firearm Offenses

Donald Ray McIntosh, 39, of Mills, Wyoming, was sentenced to 41 months' imprisonment for being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence on June 16. According to court documents, on May 26, 2023, agents with the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted a controlled purchase of a gun from McIntosh, who was at the time a convicted felon. The defendant pleaded guilty on Mar. 20. This crime was investigated by DCI and ATF, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Forwood.

Richard McCloskey, 36, of Casper, Wyoming, was sentenced to 95 months' imprisonment for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Senior U.S. District Court Judge Nancy D. Freudenthal imposed the sentence on Jun. 26. According to court documents, in August 2023, a Federal Firearm Licensee who was travelling in Wyoming, reported someone broke into his vehicle and stole three firearms including a 9mm pistol, an MP7 machine gun, and a suppressor. In addition, he reported that $40,000 worth of gold coins were missing. In August 2023, detectives learned that some of the gold coins had been pawned in Casper. The pawn shop said the man was coming back to pawn more and showed police surveillance video, which led investigators to McCloskey. Agents waited for McCloskey to return to the pawn shop and secured a search warrant for his vehicle. They discovered the vehicle was stolen and seized the MP7 machine gun and the suppressor. The pistol was not recovered. McCloskey has a felony burglary conviction from 2016 and is not allowed to possess firearms. The defendant pleaded guilty on Apr. 4. This crime was investigated by ATF and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan C. Coppom

Drug and Firearm Offenses

Robert Joseph Santistevan, 42, of Rock Springs, Wyoming, was sentenced to 120 months' imprisonment for being a felon in possession of a firearm and distribution of fentanyl. In a related case, Brittany Lyn Isaacson, 35, of Rock Springs, was sentenced to 26 months' imprisonment for being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentences. According to court documents, on Oct. 31, 2023, Santistevan and Isaacson were pulled over for a traffic violation in Riverton, Wyoming. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, the officer found two pistols and 189 fentanyl pills. Santistevan and Isaacson each admitted handling and carrying one of the firearms. Both Santistevan and Isaacson were previously convicted felons and therefore each was prohibited from possessing a firearm. By pleading guilty, Santistevan also admitted that he distributed fentanyl. These crimes were investigated by DCI and the Fremont County Sheriff's Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy W. Gist.

Brandon Overson, 31, of North Columbus, Montana, was sentenced to 120 months' imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence on June 25. According to court documents, in the summer of 2023, DCI was conducting a drug investigation in the Gillette area. The evidence pointed to Overson as a suspected dealer. On Sept. 15, 2023, agents learned Overton was driving from Denver to Gillette. Overson was pulled over while driving through Cheyenne. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed 649 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 400 fentanyl pills, a loaded .45 caliber pistol and ten .45 caliber rounds. Overson is a previously convicted felon and is not allowed to legally possess a firearm. The defendant pleaded guilty on Feb. 27. This crime was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), DCI and the Cheyenne Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paige Hammer.

Estefan Morales, 30, of Brighton, Colorado, was sentenced to 92 months' imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl and being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence on June 26. According to court documents, on Sept. 29, 2023, a Fremont County Sheriff's Office (FCSO) deputy noticed a suspicious vehicle at his neighbor's house. The deputy called the vehicle into the FCSO, Lander Police Department (LPD) and Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP). Once the vehicle was located, the WHP attempted to pull Morales over, but he fled, and a high-speed pursuit followed. The defendant drove into a felid where he got stuck and eventually surrendered. Officers seized 200 fentanyl pills, 40 grams of methamphetamine, and a .22 caliber pistol. Morales is a previously convicted felon and not allowed to possess firearms. The defendant pleaded guilty on Mar. 6. This crime was investigated by DEA, DCI, and the Lander Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paige Hammer.

Drug Trafficking

Adrian Hernandez, 35, of Ogden, Utah, was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence on June 21. According to court documents, DEA and the Cheyenne Police Department's Community Action Team (CPD-CAT) were conducting multiple drug trafficking investigations between July and August of 2023. In two cases, seized phones from individuals taken into custody led detectives to Hernandez. The defendant pleaded guilty on Mar. 7. This crime was investigated by DEA and CPD-CAT, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Forwood.

Illegal Re-entry of a Previously Deported Alien

Alvaro Leon-Campos, 33, of Guanajuato, 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 Jan.18, Leon-Campos was arrested by WHP for possession of a controlled substance and booked into the Sweetwater County Detention Center. He claimed to be a resident of Mexico, so U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was contacted. A Deportation Officer processed the defendant and obtained fingerprints matching pre-existing fingerprints in their database indicating Mr. Leon-Campos was in the U.S. illegally. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook. Senior U.S. District Court Judge Nancy D. Freudenthal imposed the sentence on June 26.

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