CASPER, Wyo. — Here’s a look at some of the most recent criminal case hearings in Natrona County’s Seventh Judicial District. Unless proven guilty or have pleaded guilty, all defendants are presumed innocent.
Property Destruction (Circuit Court)
Ronald Walter Beverly, 27, of Casper was charged last week with felony property destruction and possession of methamphetamine after Casper police responded to a disturbance at the hospital shortly after midnight on Friday, September 5.
According to the affidavit, the officer arrived to find Beverly restrained by security guards after he allegedly refused to leave upon discharge and became combative. According to staff, the incident caused damage to two portable medical devices known as stroke carts worth $10,000.
The officer stated that a glass pipe fell out of Beverly’s possessions, and the residue inside tested presumptively positive for methamphetamine. The officer noted that Beverly’s “erratic behavior” and “foaming at the mouth” were consistent with stimulant use.
Probation Revocation (District Court)
According to Chief Deputy District Attorney Blaine Nelson’s comments to Judge Catherine Wilking, Paul Allen Miller was sentenced to 12-30 months in prison after his probation was revoked on September 10, but he may face more serious federal charges soon. Miller received a suspended sentence in February for a third-time possession charge.
His probation agent stated that he had done well for several months but had lied about being dropped off for an office visit to avoid a vehicle search.
A search of his home allegedly turned up methamphetamine and paraphernalia, resulting in a new felony charge of third-degree possession of a controlled substance and child endangerment.
Nelson informed Wilking that a federal prosecutor was investigating the “possible explosive device” allegedly discovered in his closet and reported to the ATF.
Embezzlement (District Court)
Maureen Barnes, the former treasurer of the Ms. Wheelchair Wyoming nonprofit, has pleaded not guilty to the theft of $3,827.
According to the affidavit, the executive director of NOWCAP services told Casper Police Department investigators that Barnes was the only person who had access to the account between October 2024 and March 2025, when the funds allegedly went missing.
By mid-April, when police began investigating the case, $2,400 had been returned to the account. Barnes, 69, posted the $3,000 cash or surety bond set at her initial appearance on July 3, during which prosecutor Sam Forshner stated that she had no criminal history.
Felony Eluding
The 22-year-old Bar Nunn resident who allegedly drove around Outer Drive at speeds exceeding 100 mph on bare rims while evading police is now facing a felony charge.
The state changed the charge against Skyian Janeaux to aggravated eluding, claiming that the incident caused over $10,000 in damage, including to an Evansville police cruiser.
According to the Evansville Police Department corporal’s updated affidavit, the rubber tires on Janeaux’s 2012 Dodge Ram peeled off after police spike-stripped it early in the chase. According to reports, the bare rims gouged out pieces of asphalt from the road, which flew back and struck the patrol vehicle.
Janeaux appeared on the amended charges, which included DUI, reckless driving, and reckless endangerment, on Thursday, September 4.
He is now represented by Casper attorney Ryan Semerad, who successfully argued for a bond modification from $10,000 cash to $15,000 cash or surety. Janeaux has been in jail since his arrest on August 17.
Semerad stated that Janeaux had recently been struggling after seeing his best friend die in a car accident. “He’s been trying to navigate that, imperfectly,” Semerad said.
Arson
Dallas Ray Smith, 43, was charged with an additional 10 counts of arson, including a first-degree charge, for allegedly starting fires over the summer. Smith was arrested in late August for allegedly starting two fires that day and causing damage to a building in May.
Smith was reportedly a suspect in several arsons, including at least five that occurred in the early hours of July 3. Smith waived a preliminary hearing on September 9, and his bond was increased to $30,000 cash or surety.
