Sheridan Man Enters Plea on Strangulation Charge

A hearing was recently held in Fourth Judicial District Court for a man charged with a domestic felony. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter has the details.

At the arraignment hearing, 25-year-old Justin Averch pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of mental illness or deficiency to the charge of strangulation of a household member. A mental health evaluation will be completed by the Wyoming State Hospital to determine if Averch is competent to stand trial. Averch was arrested for the alleged crime for an incident that occurred at a residence in Sheridan County on October 11, 2024.

District Court Judge Darci Phillips scheduled a three-day jury trial to begin March 17, 2025. A pretrial conference will take place in District Court on February 20 at 11 am. Strangulation of a household member is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.