Wyoming Federal Judge Sentences Three In Sheridan Meth Conspiracy
Three people were sentenced in federal court this week for their roles in a methamphetamine conspiracy, according to the Wyoming U.S. Attorney's Office.
Chief U.S. District Court Judge Nancy Freudenthal sentenced Christopher Buchholz, Melissa Millard and Austin Burroughs six months after they were indicted and arrested in Sheridan.
Buchholz, Millard and Burroughs were charged with conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of a substance or mixture containing methamphetamine from April through August 2016.
Buchholz and Burroughs also were charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and for carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. If a defendant is convicted of a felony and uses a weapon, the weapon charge automatically adds a consecutive minimum five-year prison term.
At their sentencing hearings Wednesday and Thursday, the prosecution dismissed the charge of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Even so, their sentences were substantial.
Freudenthal sentenced Buchholz, 31, to six years of imprisonment, to be followed by four years of probation and was ordered to pay a $200 special assessment and $250 in community restitution.
She sentenced Burroughs, 25, of Auburn, N.Y., to five-and-a-half years of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of probation, and was ordered to pay a $200 special assessment and $400 in community restitution.
Freudenthal also sentenced Millard, 35, of Billings, Mont., to four years nine months of imprisonment, to be followed by four years of probation, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment and $600 in community restitution.
This case was investigated by the Sheridan Police Department, the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office, and the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation.