Charnele Dawn Jenkins, 31, of Riverton, Wyoming, has been sentenced to just over a year in federal prison for distributing fentanyl. Court documents show that on August 27, 2024, Jenkins sold fentanyl pills to an undercover agent with the Rocky Mountain Safe Trails Task Force in Riverton. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy W. Gist prosecuted the case. Jenkins was indicted on January 15 and pleaded guilty on May 27. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson issued the sentence on August 15 in Cheyenne.
Jeramie Russel Makinen, 40, of Evanston, Wyoming, received a sentence of nearly four years and four months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, aiding and abetting distribution of fentanyl, and distribution of fentanyl. Special Agents from the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) were investigating drug trafficking activities in Sweetwater County when Makinen was identified as a suspect. Agents observed him selling methamphetamine and fentanyl before deputies from the Sweetwater Sheriff’s Office arrested him during a traffic stop. The investigation involved DCI, SSO, and the DEA. Assistant U.S. Attorney Z. Seth Griswold prosecuted the case. Makinen was indicted on January 15 and pleaded guilty on April 22. U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence on August 14 in Casper.
The United States Attorney’s Office represents the federal government in most litigation involving the United States within Wyoming’s district courts, handling criminal prosecutions for violations of federal law as well as civil lawsuits involving or brought by the government.
The Rocky Mountain Safe Trails Task Force is a collaborative effort aimed at combating violent crime and drug trafficking in Native American communities across the Rocky Mountain region by bringing together multiple agencies such as tribal police departments, state and local law enforcement, federal agencies including the FBI and DEA, and others.
Project Safe Childhood is an initiative by the Department of Justice focused on addressing technology-facilitated sexual exploitation crimes against children.
Operation Take Back America seeks to use all available resources from the Department of Justice to fight illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations while also supporting other initiatives like Project Safe Neighborhoods.
The Victim Witness Program at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Wyoming works to ensure victims of federal crimes are treated fairly throughout legal proceedings.
To report a federal crime, individuals can visit https://www.justice.gov/actioncenter/report-crime.
“According to court documents, on Aug. 27, 2024, the defendant sold fentanyl pills to an undercover Rocky Mountain Safe Trails Task Force Agent in Riverton.”
“Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy W. Gist prosecuted the crime.”
“Jenkins was indicted on Jan. 15 and pleaded guilty on May 27.”
“U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence on Aug. 15 in Cheyenne.”
“According to court documents, Special Agents with the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) in Rock Springs were investigating drug trafficking in Sweetwater County.”
“Through the progression of the investigation, the defendant was identified as a person of interest.”
“Agents observed Makinen selling methamphetamine and fentanyl.”
“Deputies with the Sweetwater Sheriff’s Office (SSO) later conducted a traffic stop where the defendant was arrested.”
“DCI, SSO, and DEA investigated the crime.”
“Assistant U.S. Attorney Z. Seth Griswold prosecuted the crime.”
“The defendant was indicted on Jan. 15 and pleaded guilty on April 22.”
“U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence on Aug. 14 in Casper.”
