The fourth Cheyenne teen has been charged with arson, while others’ bonds have been reduced

The last of four Cheyenne teens charged in connection with a May fire that caused an estimated $146,560 in damage to a vacant home in northeast Cheyenne had his bond set at $10,000 at 10% on Thursday.

Case Background

Cheyenne Fire Rescue responded to the scene at 5908 Ridge Rd. around 1:30 a.m. on May 28.

According to CFR, the home was considered abandoned and the structure unsafe.

On May 30, police posted surveillance video from a residence in the 3600 block of Harvey Street on their Facebook page, requesting assistance in identifying the four individuals shown in the video, who were suspected of intentionally starting the fire.

Warrants for 3rd-Degree Arson

According to booking sheets, two of the suspects, Kyle Asher Brown and Ryder Nolan Peterson, both 18 years old, were arrested on warrants on June 25, the same day Peterson turned 18.

The warrants charged third-degree arson, which is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both.

Another suspect, 17-year-old Brayden Weil, was arrested and charged with third-degree arson.

Bonds Set at $10K Cash

On Thursday, June 26, Brown, Peterson, and Weil appeared in Laramie County Circuit Court before Judge TJ Forwood to face their charges.

According to the state, none of the three have a criminal record, but due to the gravity of their charges, the state recommended $10,000 cash bonds and asked that they not communicate with one another.

Forwood agreed with the state, describing the alleged conduct as “incredibly troubling.”

“This is a very serious offence,” he stated. “It’s kind of shocking that it only comes with a five-year penalty.”

Bonds Reduced

Brown, Peterson, and Weil’s bonds were reduced to $10,000 at 10% and their cases were assigned to Laramie County District Court during their preliminary hearings on Wednesday, July 2.

Fourth Suspect Arrested

The preliminary hearings were held just three and a half hours after police arrested the fourth suspect, Trenton James Willis, 18, on a third-degree arson warrant.

Willis appeared in Circuit Court in front of Judge Antoinette Williams the next afternoon, July 3, where his bond was set at $10,000 at 10% and his preliminary hearing was scheduled for Thursday, July 10, at 2 p.m.

Remember that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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