Ralph Thomas Jones, Jr., 58, from Crystal Springs, Mississippi, has been sentenced to four months in federal prison and one year of supervised release for assault by striking, wounding, or beating. The incident took place on June 28, 2025, at the Washburn Lodge in Canyon Village within Yellowstone National Park. According to court documents, Jones engaged in a physical altercation with the victim during which he hit and choked her, resulting in injuries that required medical attention. The case was investigated by National Park Service Law Enforcement and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Calmes. Chief U.S. District Judge Kelly H. Rankin handed down the sentence on February 5 in Cheyenne.
In a separate case involving firearm offenses, Ricardo Ballard, 52, of El Paso, Texas, received a sentence of 20 months’ imprisonment and one year of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm. On October 27, 2024, Ballard was stopped by a Park Ranger in Yellowstone National Park for speeding at 75 mph in a 45-mph zone. During the stop, the ranger detected the smell of burnt marijuana. Ballard initially denied possessing marijuana or weapons but later admitted there were rolled marijuana joints in his vehicle. A search revealed an unsealed bag of marijuana, three boxes of fireworks, and a loaded Smith & Wesson semi-automatic pistol hidden behind the passenger seat. Ballard had previously been convicted on federal drug charges and was prohibited from owning firearms. The investigation was conducted by National Park Service Law Enforcement with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Elmore; U.S. District Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence on February 3 in Casper.
Luis Lopez-Romero, 39, from Guanajuato, Mexico, was sentenced to time served plus ten days to allow for deportation proceedings after being convicted of illegal re-entry into the United States following removal. He was arrested on October 2, 2022 by Jackson Hole Police Department after being involved in three incidents related to colliding with unattended vehicles or property. Immigration authorities determined he had been previously removed from the country and had not obtained permission to return since his formal removal in August 2013.
Lopez-Romero failed to appear for his sentencing hearing scheduled for February 21, 2025; he did not maintain contact with his attorney or make any effort to attend court proceedings and was subsequently arrested eight months later in Florida’s Middle District. ICE conducted the investigation while Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted; U.S District Court Judge Alan B Johnson imposed sentencing on February 6 in Cheyenne.
The United States Attorney’s Office represents the federal government’s interests within Wyoming through litigation involving criminal prosecutions under federal law as well as civil cases brought by or against the government and actions seeking restitution for victims and taxpayers.
The office participates in several programs designed to improve community safety such as Project Safe Childhood—a Department of Justice initiative focused on combating technology-facilitated sexual exploitation crimes against children—and Operation Take Back America which coordinates resources across DOJ agencies to address illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations.
Additionally, the Victim Witness Program is dedicated to ensuring victims of federal crimes are treated with fairness and respect throughout legal proceedings.
Information about reporting federal crimes can be found at https://www.justice.gov/actioncenter/report-crime
