Motion Hearing Held for Man Facing Trial for Various Drug Related Charges

A hearing was held Thursday in Fourth Judicial District Court in Sheridan to address a Notice of Intent motion filed by Sheridan County Deputy and Prosecuting Attorney Christopher LaRosa in the case against Eric Weisser of Sheridan, who is charged with three felonies in relation to drug possession and distribution. The hearing was held to determine the admissibility of witness testimony that the State would like to present at Weisser’s jury trial next month in District Court. At the conclusion of the hearing, District Court Judge Darci Phillips ruled that two out of the three witnesses named in the Notice of Intent would be allowed to testify at trial. The three-day jury trial will begin Monday, January 8.

On July 6 of this year, Weisser was arrested and charged with three felonies; endangering children, possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine, and conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance – methamphetamine.  The arrest was part of an investigation by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation into a methamphetamine distribution ring in Sheridan.  If convicted on all three charges, Weisser faces up to 32 years in prison and fines of up to $45,000.

Also from Thursday’s District Court docket:

A hearing was held Thursday in District Court in Sheridan to address a motion to lower the payment amount for a convicted felon who is paying for restitution. Sheridan Medias’ Ron Richter has the details.

On January 26, 2020, Breanna Fortman was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and battery for stabbing an individual with a large kitchen knife at a residence in Sheridan County. In June of 2020, Fortman was sentenced to serve 3 to 6 years in prison and was ordered to pay $50,604 in restitution to the victim. Fortman recently filed a motion in District Court requesting the restitution payment amount be lowered from $138 a month to $50 a month. Fortman was notified that a hearing had been set to address the motion, however, Fortman failed to show for the hearing Thursday morning in District Court.

Information presented at Thursday’s hearing indicated that Fortman still has upwards of $48,000 to pay in restitution. District Court Judge Darci Phillips denied the motion to lower the restitution payment amount, citing the fact that Fortman failed to show for the hearing that was scheduled to address the motion she’d filed with the Court.