South Dakotan Arrested in Cheyenne With 95.2 Grams of Meth

A 46-year-old from Pine Ridge, South Dakota is facing felony charges in Laramie County after he was reportedly caught with 95.2 grams of methamphetamine.

According to a booking sheet, a Laramie County Sheriff's deputy arrested Benjamin Roy Whitman at U.S. 30 at Ahlstrom Drive at 1:28 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 28.

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Whitman was booked into the Laramie County Detention Center and subsequently charged with felony possession of methamphetamine, a crime punishable by up to seven years in prison, up to a $15,000 fine, or both; and possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison, up to a $25,000 fine, or both.

He was also charged with misdemeanor felon in possession of a firearm, a crime punishable by up to six months in jail, up to a $750 fine, or both.

Municipal Warrant

At 3:17 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30, inmate Whitman was served with a warrant out of Cheyenne Municipal Court for failure to appear with original charges of possession, shoplifting, and two traffic violations.

Judge David Singleton signed the warrant on June 16.

Initial Court Appearance

On Tuesday, Dec. 2, Whitman was seen in Laramie County Circuit Court in front of Judge Antoinette Williams on the charges stemming from his arrest.

Williams appointed Whitman a public defender and set his preliminary hearing for Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 2:15 p.m.

Williams then asked for the state's position regarding bond.

"The state's going to be recommending $50,000 bond for Mr. Whitman," the state said. "These are multiple felonies and of particular concern is the possession of a firearm. I think Mr. Whitman presents a clear danger to the community."

"In addition to his previous criminal history, he has prior contacts for drugs ... prior failures to appear ... federal prosecutions for drugs," the state added. "The state believes that a high cash bond is required in this matter."

Whitman told Williams he was unaware that there were any firearms whatsoever anywhere in the area.

"Oh my gosh, if we could get a bond down to a reasonable amount then I would be able to post that bond and fight this from the outside and prove my innocence in a majority of what's being accused here," he said.

"I have been trying to get my life back on track. It's been a bad year," Whitman added. "I was working on entering another treatment program as soon as possible ... and I came down to Cheyenne again to handle some of those failures to appear and to get my medication squared away with the VA so that I could enter into a program ... with a fair and reasonable bond, I would enroll in any program you need me to do ... I offer you everything because it means everything to be given a bond that is fair for me to be able to fight this case."

Bond Set at $50K Cash

"Based on your criminal history and the nature of the offense, the court is going to set your bond at $50,000 cash," Williams told Whitman.

Please remember that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.