District Court News

A Sheridan man was arraigned in Fourth Judicial District Court Thursday on three charges pertaining the sexual abuse of a minor. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter has the details.

During the hearing, the defendant, Luke Cooley pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree, one count of sexual abuse of a minor in third degree, and one count of sexual exploitation of children. District Court Judge Ben Kirven scheduled a three-day jury trial to begin on December 9, 2024. A pretrial conference will take place November 7 at 11 am.

Cooley’s bond was continued under the same terms and conditions that were previously set in Circuit Court. All three of the alleged crimes occurred between September of 2022 and May 27, 2024. Sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree is punishable by not less than 25 and not more than 50 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. The third degree charge is punishable by not more than 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 and the sexual exploitation charge is punishable by not less than five and not more than 12 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Also from District Court:

A sentencing hearing was held Thursday in Fourth Judicial District Court for Michael MacGibbons of Sheridan.  MacGibbons was arrested and charged with two felonies earlier this year; aggravated assault and battery; and strangulation of a household member, for an incident on January 16, 2024 at a residence on 6th Avenue East in Sheridan where he stabbed and strangled another individual. 

District Court Judge Darci Phillips sentenced MacGibbons to 2 ½ to 6 years in prison for each of the two charges. The sentence for the strangulation charge will run concurrent to the sentence for the aggravated assault and battery charge. MacGibbons received 186 days of credit for time served of presentence confinement. He was also ordered to pay $525 in court costs and assessments.