The United States Attorney’s Office announced on Mar. 12 that two individuals from Wyoming have been sentenced for drug trafficking offenses following investigations by multiple law enforcement agencies.
These cases highlight ongoing efforts by federal and local authorities to address the distribution of illegal drugs in Wyoming communities.
Cathy Lynn Mink, 39, of Lander, received a sentence of 32 months in prison and three years of supervised release for distributing fentanyl. According to court documents, agents from the Division of Criminal Investigation learned in April 2025 that Mink was selling fentanyl on the Wind River Reservation. A controlled purchase resulted in the seizure of 150 fentanyl tablets. Later, after evading officers during a traffic stop involving a stolen vehicle, Mink was apprehended and found with over 180 fentanyl tablets concealed on her person at booking. The case was investigated by DCI and the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Trails Task Force with assistance from the Wind River Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy W. Gist prosecuted the case, with sentencing imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson on Feb. 26 in Cheyenne.
Samuel J. Pratts, 32, of Jackson, was sentenced to 110 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Law enforcement began investigating Pratts in March 2025 for suspected drug distribution activities in Teton and Sublette Counties. On April 18, a Teton County Sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop where a police dog alerted to illegal substances; more than 350 grams of methamphetamine were found during a subsequent search. The investigation involved several agencies including Sublette County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson Police Department, Teton County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paige Hammer prosecuted this case before U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl.
The United States Attorney’s Office represents the federal government in litigation within Wyoming and is responsible for prosecuting violations of federal law as well as supporting victims through its Victim Witness Program.
Broader initiatives such as Project Safe Childhood focus on combating technology-facilitated sexual exploitation crimes against children while Operation Take Back America targets illegal immigration and organized crime groups across the country.
To report a federal crime or learn more about these programs, information is available at https://www.justice.gov/actioncenter/report-crime.
