District Court News

An arraignment hearing for 50-year-old Michael Barabin of Jeanerette, Louisiana was held this week in Fourth Judicial District Court in Sheridan. Barabin pleaded not guilty to a felony charge where he allegedly with fraudulent intent, did forge, or counterfeit a certificate of title or certificate of registration. He also pleaded not guilty to three misdemeanor charges, driving under suspension or a revoked license, consumption and possession of alcohol in an open container in a vehicle and failure to maintain liability coverage. District Court Judge Darci Phillips scheduled a two-day jury trial to begin on July 29. A pretrial conference will take place July 2 at 10 am.

According to court documents, the charges were the result of an incident on February 23, 2024, when a trooper with the Wyoming Highway Patrol was dispatched to a one vehicle crash involving Barabin on Interstate 90 in Sheridan County near mile marker 13. If convicted on all four counts, Barabin faces up to three years of incarceration and fines of up to $6,700.

Also from District Court: Pursuant to terms of a plea agreement reached with the State, 18-year-old Payton Jack pleaded guilty to felony theft. In exchange for the guilty plea, the State dismissed a charge of conspiracy to commit theft and is recommending a deferred prosecution and three years of supervised probation. Jack must also pay restitution to the victim. The exact amount will be determined at sentencing, which will take place May 23 at 9:45 am. Jack was charged with the crime for taking money from a safe at a residence in Sheridan on October 15, 2023.