Sheridan Men Sentenced in Federal Court for Being a Co-Conspirators in Drug Trafficking Ring

Two Sheridan men were recently sentenced in Wyoming Federal Court for drug trafficking. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter has the details.

A number of individuals, including two Sheridan men, involved in a drug trafficking ring were recently sentenced to prison in Federal Court in Wyoming. According to the Department of Justice, 33-year-old Jeffrey Johnson of Sheridan was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott Skavdahl to 110 months imprisonment to be followed by five years of supervised probation for the charge of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Johnson was also ordered to pay $500 in community restitution and a $100 special assessment fee.

Judge Skavdahl sentenced 23-year-old Michael Kelli of Sheridan to 70 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release for the charge of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Kelli was also ordered to pay $500 in community restitution and a $100 special assessment fee. Also sentenced to prison in the case were 50-year-old George Nitchman of Worland 44-year-old and Joseph Stone of Porterville, California. A fifth co-conspirator, 51-year-old Anthony Rodriguez of Porterville, California, is scheduled to be sentenced on September 1.

According to court documents, Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) agents were briefed on an influx of methamphetamine being distributed in the Lovell, Wyoming area in October of 2021. After conducting interviews with known and unknown drug distributors in the area, and executing search warrants obtained from Wyoming state courts, agents were able to identify key players distributing methamphetamine in and around Lovell. The methamphetamine was transported from California to Wyoming via rental cars, a Greyhound bus, and through the U.S. Postal Service. This crime was investigated by DCI, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.