Sheridan Man Arraigned on Sexual Assault Charges in District Court

A 23-year-old Sheridan man was arraigned on two felony sexual assault charges Tuesday in Fourth Judicial District Court. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter has the details.

At the hearing, Hunter Weiss pleaded not guilty to the charges of sexual assault in the first degree and sexual assault in the third degree. Both of the alleged crimes occurred on December 25, 2022. District Court Judge Darci Phillips scheduled a three-day jury trial to begin on Monday, April 28, 2025. A pretrial conference will be held Thursday, April 3 at 11 am.

In February of this year, Weiss was convicted of strangulation of a household member and was sentenced 4 to 7 years in prison, suspended in lieu of a split-sentence of seven months in jail followed by three years of supervised probation.

Sexual assault in the first degree is punishable by not less than five and not more than 50 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Sexual assault in the third degree is punishable by not more than 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

Also from District Court:

An arraignment hearing was held for 36-year-old Lonnie Lewis of Casper. Lewis pleaded not guilty to one count of burglary, one count of theft, and one county of unlawful use of a motor vehicle. District Court Judge Darci Phillips scheduled a three day jury trial to begin on May 19, 2025. A pretrial conference will be held April 22 at 9am.

The burglary and theft charges are felonies and are the result of Lewis allegedly entering a vehicle with the intent to commit theft and stealing a 2003 GMC Yukon. The unlawful use of a vehicle is a misdemeanor. If convicted on all three counts, Lewis faces up to 21 years in prison and up to $21,000 in fines.

A motion by Public Defender Jonathan Foreman to modify his client’s bond to a $5,000 cash or surety bond was denied by Judge Phillips due to Lewis’s extensive criminal history and the underlying facts of the case.