3 Cheyenne Men, Transient Sentenced to Federal Prison

Three Cheyenne men and a transient were recently sentenced to a combined 283 months in federal prison, the United States Attorney's Office announced late Wednesday afternoon.

Child Pornography

Gregory James Griffin, 41, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment for possession of child pornography – subsequent offense. According to court documents, in September 2023, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force began receiving CyberTips involving a phone number belonging to Griffin. A search warrant resulted in the seizure of the defendant’s phone identified during the investigation. Over 60 files of child pornography were located on his phone. Griffin had a previous conviction for possession of child pornography out of California in 2010 and is a registered sex offender in the state of Wyoming. This crime was investigated by the DCI-ICAC Task Force, and the case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Z. Seth Griswold. Griffin was indicted on May 16, pleaded guilty on July 16, and Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence on Oct. 8, in Casper. Case No. 24-CR-00062

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Drug Trafficking

James P. Graham, 64, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, was sentenced to 87 months’ imprisonment with five years of supervised release for distribution of methamphetamine. According to court documents, on Dec. 17, 2023, the Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP) conducted a traffic stop on Graham, who had a warrant for his arrest. The trooper deployed his K9 partner on Graham’s vehicle and the dog obtained a positive alert. Graham had over 165 grams of methamphetamine, packaging, and drug paraphernalia. A forensic download of Graham’s phone indicated he was a source of supply for methamphetamine. Graham waived indictment and pleaded guilty to an Information on July 9. U.S. District Court Judge Kelly H. Rankin imposed the sentence on Oct. 1, in Cheyenne. The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation and WHP investigated the crime and Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Forwood prosecuted the case. Case No. 24-CR-00092

Robert Allen Yetsick, aka Ryan Kelp, 36, a transient, was sentenced to 46 months’ imprisonment with three years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to court documents, the Cheyenne Police Department (CPD) were dispatched to the Days Inn for a welfare check where they found the defendant unresponsive in his room. Upon entering, Cheyenne Fire and Rescue found hypodermic needles, a plastic bag containing approximately 45 grams of methamphetamine, a plastic container containing 3.41 grams of heroin, and a small amount of marijuana. After a search of Yetsick’s phone, officers found messages requesting ¼ pound of methamphetamine from him and wanting to trade pills for methamphetamine. This crime was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and CPD. The case was prosecuted by Timothy J. Forwood. Yetsick was indicted on May 20, pleaded guilty on July 15, and U.S. District Court Judge Kelly H. Rankin imposed the sentence on Oct. 3, in Cheyenne. Case No. 24-CR-00059

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Firearm Offense

Andrew Lee Kirkendall, 46, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment with three years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, on Sept. 5, 2023, the Cheyenne Police Department (CPD) were dispatched to the American Legion Post 6 for reports of shots fired. Witnesses pointed to the defendant but when an officer tried to approach Kirkendall, he ran away. A foot pursuit with additional CPD officers and the Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP) ensued. Multiple citizens called into dispatch detailing the defendant’s location and that he was brandishing his firearm at citizens on the street. Officers caught up with Kirkendall and deployed a taser to immobilize him. They found a loaded Ruger SR9C 9mm caliber pistol on his person. Kirkendall, a convicted felon is unable to legally possess a firearm. This crime was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, CPD, and WHP. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paige Hammer. Kirkendall was indicted on Nov. 15, 2023, pleaded guilty on July 12, and the sentence was imposed by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl on Oct. 3, in Casper. Case No. 23-CR-00152

RELATED: Cheyenne Transient Charged for Firing Gun, Running From Officers