Men sentenced on drug charges

Two Greybull men who were arrested on felony charges of possession, intent to distribute and, in one case, attempting to influence a witness were sentenced Tuesday, Jan. 7 in the Fifth Judicial District Court of Big Horn County.

Jacob Sales, 32, and Joel Anderson, 29, were arrested on May 15 last year following a Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) search of a property in Greybull, which resulted in the seizure of fentanyl, methamphetamine and other drug paraphernalia.

Sales was charged with two felony counts of possession of a controlled substance — one for methamphetamine, the other fentanyl — and a single count of possession with the intent to distribute. Anderson was charged with possession of a controlled substance, third or subsequent offense, as well as attempting to influence a juror, witness, or officer after he left what prosecutors characterized as a “threatening” voicemail for a witness, whom he accused of being “a rat.” 

On the first count of unlawful possession, Sales was sentenced to 3-5 years in prison with his sentence to be split between the county and the state. Judge Bobbi Overfield said the split-sentence would provide Sales with the opportunity to obtain in-patient treatment for drugs and alcohol. On the second count of unlawful possession, Sales was sentenced to an additional 5-7 years in prison with credit for time served. The remainder of the sentence will be suspended pursuant to three years of supervised probation with standard terms and conditions applied. Sales must also successfully complete a level 3.5 in-patient treatment program as well as any follow-up treatment that may be required. In addition, the court will require him to submit an application to and participate in the Big Horn County drug court treatment program. On the third count, the court imposed an 8-10 year sentence with credit for time served and one year suspended with the same terms applied as in count two. The terms will be applied consecutively. 

“It’s going to hold you accountable to addressing your substance abuse issues and maintaining sobriety for a significant period of time,” Judge Overfield told Sales during sentencing. “If you don’t follow through and take that seriously, then you should expect to come back here anytime in the next 5-6 years and looking at a prison sentence of 8-10 years.”

Sales will be required to pay all associated court fees and assessments, and must submit a DNA sample to DCI, but will not be asked to pay any fines.

Anderson, on the first count of possession of a controlled substance, was sentenced to 3-5 years at the Wyoming state prison and will receive credit for time served.

The judge acknowledged that Anderson appeared genuinely remorseful and contrite in court on Tuesday and expressed her hope that he was finally ready to confront his struggles with addiction head-on. As such, the court said it would include a recommendation for intensive in-patient treatment in its notes to the Department of Corrections. 

And although the court appeared to agree that Anderson’s contention that he did not intend to intimidate a witness, it upheld the second count of an attempt to influence a juror, witnesses or officer. Anderson was sentenced to an additional 3-5 years, which will be served concurrent to the first sentence. No fines were imposed on either count, but court fees and assessments were levied against him.

In closing, Judge Overfield wished Anderson luck on his journey toward recovery, but noted, “Sometimes we have to think about our actions and our words, and I think that you understand that today.”

Alyssa Johnson, who was arrested alongside Sales and Anderson, is scheduled for sentencing next Tuesday, Jan. 21.