Change of Plea Hearing for Sheridan Man Charged With Felony DUI

A change of plea hearing was held Thursday in Fourth Judicial District Court for 42-year-old Jayson Smothers of Sheridan. Pursuant to terms of a plea agreement reached with the State, Smothers pleaded “guilty” to the charge of Felony DUI. The charge is a felony due to the fact that Smothers has previously been convicted of DUI three times since 2011. Four convictions of DUI in a ten year period in Wyoming results in a felony. A misdemeanor charge of Driving Under Suspension was dismissed as part of the plea deal. The plea agreement recommends a sentence of 2 ½ to 5 years in prison.

Smothers was arrested on October 31 last year after being pulled over by law enforcement outside of a liquor store on North Main Street in Sheridan. His blood alcohol content was over twice the legal limit. District Court Judge John Fenn ordered that a presentence investigation be completed and set the date for sentencing for April 1 at 9 am. Smother’s bond was revoked and he was remanded to the custody of the Sheridan County Detention Center to await sentencing.