Sheridan Woman Changes Plea on Drug Charges

A 35-year-old Sheridan woman changed her plea on two drug charges at a hearing Tuesday in Fourth Judicial District Court. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter has the details.

On January 26 of this year, Christina Rhodes was arrested for methamphetamine distribution and possession. The arrest was part of an investigation by law enforcement into a methamphetamine distribution ring in Sheridan. At a hearing Tuesday in District Court, Rhodes, pursuant to a plea agreement reached with the State, pleaded guilty to the charges of felony conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance – methamphetamine, and misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine.

The plea agreement recommends a sentence of 2 ½ to 4 years in prison for the felony charge, suspended in lieu of an eight-month split sentence to be followed by three years of supervised probation, and six-months in jail for the misdemeanor possession charge to run concurrent to the felony sentence.

The plea agreement is non-binding, meaning it can be rejected by the Court at sentencing. District Court Judge Darci Phillips ordered that a presentence investigation be completed by the Department of Corrections Division of Probation and Parole and scheduled sentencing for August 29 at 9:45. Rhodes’ bond was revoked and she was remanded to the custody of the Sheridan County Detention Center pending sentencing.

Also from Tuesday’s docket in District Court:

A change of plea hearing was held for 53-year-old Toni Oleson. Oleson, pursuant to a plea agreement reached with the State, pleaded guilty to the charge of felony possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine. The possession charge is being prosecuted as a felony because Oleson has four prior drug possession convictions. Three or more drug possession convictions in Wyoming is considered a felony offense. Oleson was arrested by the Sheridan Police Department for the crime on March 2, 2024.

The plea agreement recommends a sentence of 2 ½ to 4 years in prison, suspended in lieu of three years of supervised probation. District Court Judge Darci Phillips ordered that a presentence investigation be completed and scheduled the sentencing date for August 29 at 9 am. Oleson’s bond was continued under the same terms and conditions that were previously set in Circuit Court.