Three individuals were recently sentenced in the District of Wyoming for crimes involving assault and drug trafficking, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Dustin Vance Big Medicine, Jr., 24, from Riverton, Wyoming, received a sentence of four months and 11 days in prison followed by three years of supervised release for assaulting a federal officer. Court documents state that on June 4, 2025, a Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) officer responded to a report about Big Medicine being violent toward emergency medical services employees at tribal housing on the Wind River Reservation. After his arrest, Big Medicine spat saliva onto the officer’s ear and face while being escorted to a patrol car. The BIA investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kerry J. Jacobson. Big Medicine was indicted on September 16, 2025, pleaded guilty on December 10, 2025, and was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Kelly H. Rankin on February 18, 2026.
Owen Thunder Kennedy, 25, from Farmington, New Mexico, was sentenced to one year in prison with an additional year of supervised release for assault by striking, beating or wounding. According to court records, Kennedy and the victim were seasonal workers at Yellowstone National Park in the Old Faithful area when the incident occurred on September 15, 2021. While intoxicated that night, Kennedy forcibly shoved his hand under the victim’s shorts and grabbed her genitalia hard enough to cause pain. The investigation was conducted by Yellowstone National Park Law Enforcement and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kerry J. Jacobson. Kennedy was indicted on September 16, 2025; he pleaded guilty on December 5 and was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Kelly H. Rankin on February 20.
Christine Holly Jensen, age 55 from Fort Lupton, Colorado, received a sentence of fourteen years (168 months) in prison followed by four years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation had been investigating Gerald White from Medicine Bow for drug trafficking charges when officers found approximately 670 grams (about one and a half pounds) of methamphetamine in his truck after he returned from Jensen’s home in Colorado on February 2, 2025. Jensen admitted to selling methamphetamine to White since 2023 following her arrest at her home in October that year. Agencies involved included the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration and Albany County Sheriff’s Office; prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kerry J. Jacobson with sentencing delivered by Chief U.S. District Judge Kelly H. Rankin.
The United States Attorney’s Office represents the federal government in nearly all litigation involving the United States within Wyoming’s district courts—including criminal prosecutions for violations of federal law as well as civil lawsuits brought by or against the government—and works to collect judgments and restitution for victims and taxpayers.
Among its initiatives is Project Safe Childhood (PSC), which focuses Department of Justice resources against technology-facilitated sexual exploitation crimes targeting children through increased enforcement efforts.
Another program is Operation Take Back America—a national initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration as well as eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations using combined efforts from multiple DOJ task forces.
The office also operates a Victim Witness Program dedicated to ensuring that victims of federal crimes are treated with fairness and respect throughout legal proceedings.
Individuals can report suspected federal crimes through https://www.justice.gov/actioncenter/report-crime.
